When your company markets itself as a US based, new age tech company but it really is run by 1980s government office mindset
I work at a well-known, high-paying tech MNC in Sri Lanka. Since it’s a US-based company, the global HR policies are supposed to promote a flat hierarchy, open communication, and an environment where anyone can pitch ideas or raise concerns to leadership.
However, the local reality is completely different. Despite the corporate branding, local management and HR have imported a toxic, old-school local mindset. Here is what’s actually happening:
The "God" Complex: Despite the "flat hierarchy" promise, local managers expect juniors to treat them like untouchable bosses. Questioning decisions or offering alternative suggestions is seen as a sign of disrespect rather than collaboration.
University & School Nepotism: Management is actively grooming the next line of leaders based entirely on their high school/university "old boys" networks.
Bosses, Not Leaders: We are seeing completely unqualified individuals put into positions of power. To make it worse, they are being trained by the senior boomers to dismiss junior input and act like traditional, authoritative bosses rather than modern leaders.
Because this company pays among the highest salaries in the country, most employees are just putting up with the toxicity and keeping their heads down. Nobody wants to lose the paycheck, so the boomer mindset goes unchallenged.
But the consequences are starting to show. Our US headquarters has noticed the drop in agility/culture and has slowly been shifting major work and projects to other global delivery centers. Now, there are strong rumors of upcoming layoffs in the Sri Lanka office.
Has anyone else experienced this specific brand of toxic corporate culture in other MNCs here? Is this unique to a few bad apples, or is the Sri Lankan tech sector fundamentally stuck in this old-school mindset despite the global branding?
Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences.