A LinkedIn put up 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, day without work, and burnout. Contrasting his expertise in India with a colleague’s in Europe, Dubey questioned why Indian professionals usually really feel responsible for taking even brief breaks, whereas in lots of Western contexts, day without work is solely accepted and revered.
“In Europe, my colleague took a 3-week trip. No questions. No follow-ups. Simply: ‘Get pleasure from your break!'” Dubey wrote. “In India, I took 2 days off. First query: ‘What occurred?’ Second: ‘Will you be out there on name?'”
The put up, which resonated with 1000’s on-line, highlighted how cultural attitudes, not HR insurance policies, usually dictate how day without work is perceived within the Indian office.
“It’s not about insurance policies. It’s about mindset. Go away will not be a favour. It’s a proper. Relaxation will not 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 person commented, “In my view, that is occurring on the brisker degree and it’s impacting their mindset. When the brisker turns into senior, he’s additionally displaying the identical reflection, and the pattern goes on.”
One other person echoed the sentiment bluntly: “So true. Time without work 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. Properly-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 individual wrote. One other noticed, “The idea of work-life steadiness is I believe too obscure within the Indian business.”
The viral response to Dubey’s put up 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 will not be a weak point, however a prerequisite for sustainable efficiency.
