A LinkedIn submit by Shivam Dubey, a Expertise Acquisition Coordinator at a tech agency, has sparked a wide-ranging dialog about India’s office mindset round go away, break day, and burnout. Contrasting his expertise in India with a colleague’s in Europe, Dubey questioned why Indian professionals typically really feel responsible for taking even brief breaks, whereas in lots of Western contexts, break day is just accepted and revered.
“In Europe, my colleague took a 3-week trip. No questions. No follow-ups. Simply: ‘Take pleasure in your break!'” Dubey wrote. “In India, I took 2 days off. First query: ‘What occurred?’ Second: ‘Will you be out there on name?'”
The submit, which resonated with 1000’s on-line, highlighted how cultural attitudes, not HR insurance policies, typically dictate how break day is perceived within the Indian office.
“It’s not about insurance policies. It’s about mindset. Depart shouldn’t be a favour. It’s a proper. Relaxation shouldn’t be laziness. It’s restoration. And burnout shouldn’t be regular,” Dubey added. “Let’s construct a piece tradition the place folks can take a break — with out worry.”
Dubey’s name for cultural change touched a nerve, particularly amongst youthful professionals and early-career staff.
One consumer commented, “In my view, that is taking place on the brisker stage and it’s impacting their mindset. When the brisker turns into senior, he’s additionally exhibiting the identical reflection, and the pattern goes on.”
One other consumer echoed the sentiment bluntly: “So true. Day off shouldn’t want justification, it’s a fundamental want, not a bonus. We have to transfer from hustle tradition to a more healthy mindset the place relaxation is revered and burnout isn’t worn like a badge. Nicely-rested groups do higher. Interval.”
A number of responses pointed to on a regular basis examples of how overwork will get normalised. “If we do not reply calls on Sunday, we’re anticipated to supply a proof on Monday,” one particular person wrote. One other noticed, “The idea of work-life stability is I feel too obscure within the Indian business.”
The viral response to Dubey’s submit suggests {that a} bigger shift could also be underway, one the place Indian professionals are not content material to equate fixed availability with dedication, or burnout with success.
However as many feedback highlighted, the change should start with management and office norms: unlearning the tradition of “at all times on,” and recognising that relaxation shouldn’t be a weak spot, however a prerequisite for sustainable efficiency.
