How a Toxic Manager and Racist Work Environment Can Shatter Your Dreams and Years of Struggle
Verbesserungsvorschläge
Starting my career at Hyundai AutoEver Europe, fresh from completing my master's degree in Germany, seemed like a promising opportunity. However, my experience there turned out to be profoundly disappointing and damaging.
Upon joining the company, I faced immediate hostility from a team member who is a close relative of our manager. Within a week, this colleague began to dominate and disrespect me, creating a hostile work environment. One incident stands out: during a knowledge transfer session inside a car, he belittled me about the car's value and insinuated that I, as an Indian, couldn’t appreciate its worth. Such treatment made every work-related task feel like an accusation of wrongdoing.
The challenges extended beyond personal mistreatment. Despite English being the company’s official language, my colleague struggled with basic communication in English. His qualifications are in construction management, rather than IT or engineering, and lack of relevant experience and He was hired directly from Korea because of his familial connection to the manager.
Seeking advice from colleagues, they confirmed that he treated everyone the same way, taking pleasure in suppressing others, and previously got warnings from HR because of his behavior with other colleagues. My colleagues suggested I speak to our manager. However, when I did, my manager dismissed my concerns, telling me, "You are not in school, so you can't complain about this to me." I later found out the abusive colleague was his close relative, which explained why my manager consistently favored him. After my issue he stops sharing any information related to my work.
The manager himself was deeply problematic, playing dirty politics and exhibiting discriminatory practices and a biased work environment. Non-Korean employees were consistently given undesirable tasks, while favorable assignments and opportunities were reserved for Korean employees. Company policies, such as the allowance for home office days, were unfairly applied, with non-Korean employees often having their requests ignored or rejected at the last minute.
One particularly dangerous incident occurred during a field trip in Germany. Despite a snowstorm warning, our manager provided us with a car equipped with summer tires, which are unsafe for such conditions. We were required to proceed with the trip anyway and that troubling Korean colleague called one of my team members and said "The car is really expensive and on summer tires please take care of the car" , showing more concern for the vehicle than for our safety.
That day, we arrived at our destination very late. The next day, our manager criticized us for not completing our work properly and for not submitting the report on time. He even told my colleague that the field trip was not a vacation, showing a complete disregard for our well-being, despite the hazardous conditions we faced.
After six challenging months, I was informed that I hadn't passed my probation and was being terminated due to an alleged "attitude towards colleagues." No issues with my performance were mentioned, despite completing all assigned tasks. Additionally, I had invested over 3,500 euros of my own money to obtain a German driving license, as required by the company, only to have my efforts and expenses rendered futile.
This experience left me devastated, and mentally traumatized and forced me to leave Germany and return to India, feeling that my hard work and dreams had been shattered. My time at Hyundai AutoEver Europe was a distressing experience that I hope no one else has to endure.
I urge caution to anyone considering a position at Hyundai AutoEver Europe, especially career starters. Protect your mental well-being and consider your choices carefully.