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‘No calls, no guilt’: Indian techie lauds Singapore work-life balance as he takes a dig at India’s work culture

The techie emphasises how employees in India have to “beg” for leave, and notes that he sometimes fakes illness to take time off.

3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Dec 9, 2025 12:00 PM IST

He shares that he maintains a boundary after 6 PM in Singapore, where his phone is his own, not his boss's, with "no calls, no guilt, just life" (Image source: @NewsAlgebraIND/X)

The lack of work-life balance in the Indian corporate sector has contributed to a toxic culture, leading to burnout, long hours, and frequent leave rejections. Recently, an Indian man living in Singapore highlighted the stark contrast between the work cultures of the two countries.

In a now-viral video, Aman, a tech worker, points out that employees in India are often forced to “beg” for leave and notes that he sometimes fakes illness to take time off. In contrast, he explains that in Singapore, he simply informs his manager when he needs to take leave. He emphasises the importance of maintaining boundaries after 6 pm, stating that his phone is his own during that time, with “no calls, no guilt, just life.”

He further explains that while staying in the office past 8 pm is often viewed as a sign of “hard work” in India, it is regarded as “exploitation” abroad. Aman also notes that in a healthy work culture, employees don’t have to justify their time off.

The video has gone viral and is circulating widely across social media, sparking a debate. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “An Indian man in Singapore says taking leave in India is very difficult. He stated, ‘People give excuses like family emergencies, but in Singapore, we simply inform and go. And after 6 PM, no calls, no guilt, just life.’ Why is the work culture so different?”

Watch here:

An Indian man in Singapore says taking leave in India is very difficult

He said “People give excuses like family emergencies, but in Singapore we simply inform & go. And after 6 pm, no calls, no guilt, just life”

Why is the work culture so different? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/GuPAGOsD83

— News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) December 9, 2025

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Several users chimed in, with one saying, “Because in Singapore, when we work, we work. In India, the workplace is a social and cultural hub for chit-chatting first, and then, if time is left, for work.”

“Maybe Indians should stop worshipping ‘hard work’ and start respecting personal life. It’s not talent shortage holding you back, it’s outdated mindset and toxic hierarchy,” another commented.

Some said poverty is a big factor in India. “Many guys in India still fight their way out of poverty. They are expected to be more nervous about seeking time out of duty. Population is another one, there are many people waiting to grab the slot,” a third user reacted.