From Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 50,000 per month: MBA graduate reveals how one mistake caused career setback

Man loses high-paying job after fake expense claim. (AI-generated image)

Professional success can take years to build but only moments to unravel. An MBA graduate has now shared how one wrong decision at work cost them a Rs 1.5 lakh-a-month job and pushed them into a much lower-paying role, turning their career upside down.

The graduate, who studied at a reputed institute, shared the experience in a post on Reddit. In the post, the individual explained how a small act of dishonesty led to dismissal from a leading FMCG company, where they had worked for two years in what was described as a dream role.

The user explained, “I am an MBA grad from a good institute. I had my dream job and role at a good FMCG for 2 years. But Things went downhill because i messed up at work and was terminated. It happened because i faked reimbursements. I Lost everything for a mere 5000 rs. My greed cost me everything.”

According to the post, the issue involved fabricating reimbursement claims worth Rs 5,000. Though the amount was small compared to the monthly salary, the company treated it as a serious breach of trust and terminated the employment.

At the time, the graduate was earning Rs 1.5 lakh per month. The job offered stability and growth, and two years had been spent building a position there. The dismissal not only ended the employment but also affected confidence and financial planning.

After losing the job, another role was secured at a startup. However, that opportunity lasted only 15 days, as the company downsized the department. Unemployment followed once again within weeks.

The months that followed were described in the post as stressful and uncertain. Nearly a year later, the individual accepted a new role at Rs 50,000 per month, a 65 per cent pay cut from the earlier salary in order to stabilise finances. The reduced income, the post stated, is just enough to manage accommodation and education loan EMIs. The user expressed, “It is not hard work I am running from, but the uncertainty that working in a startup brings. What if the start up fails and i am let go again?”

Seeking guidance, the user added, “I have messed up and really need help on what i can do to reduce my stress… I have messed up badly and i own my mistake. But is there really no way out?”

The post received several responses from other Reddit users, many offering encouragement and practical advice.

Pls help me🙏 by u/Tasty_Measurement929 in IndianWorkplace

One user wrote, “OP, you’ve owned your mistake honestly, and that already says a lot about your character. It’s actually very rare to see people truly own up to their mistakes in the corporate world….One bad call doesn’t cancel your entire career or who you are as a person. Right now, the focus should just be survival and stability….maybe look for safer, more stable roles in established organisations….This is just a bad phase, but it won’t last forever. Stay strong.”

Another user wrote, “Start interviewing for better roles while you are working in the startup . This way you will be prepared for any eventuality. If you get a new offer take it.”

On user explained, “Everyone makes mistakes, how they learn from it is the difference. You are a good person. You have a job now, focus on it, forget the past. Develop new skills, build networks, treat this as a speed bump, not as a wall. With work, skills, and a bit of luck you will be back where you want to be.”

Disclaimer: The above incident has been reported based on an unverified Reddit post. Moneycontrol has not independently verified the claims.