'Cheated' by Indian work culture: Lawyer compares office environment in India vs Europe after relocating

An Indian lawyer, who recently moved to Europe, took to social media to express her disillusionment with the work culture in India, contrasting it sharply with the experience she encountered after relocating. In a series of candid posts on X, she shared how her perception of work life had changed since settling in Europe, pointing to significant differences that she found shocking and unfair.

"Have been in Europe for 6 months now & have started building up a resentment towards work culture in India. You work past 12 AM on a daily basis, only to earn peanuts & to not be respected as an individual. You have no time for yourself. How have we been living like this?" the lawyer wrote, reflecting on her time in India before the move. Her frustration stemmed from the long working hours that seemed to be expected of professionals in India, without adequate recognition or compensation.

A Sense of 'Cheated' After the Move

Despite acknowledging that no system is perfect, she found herself feeling "cheated" upon experiencing a more balanced lifestyle in Europe. "I see what life could have been in India if we just had cleaner air, safer roads, just better access to basic facilities. I’d take that over Blinkit/Zomato any day," she added, hinting at the quality of life improvements she observed in Europe and the stark contrast to her previous life in India.

Her posts quickly garnered attention, sparking a debate on the differences in work culture between India and Europe. Several people responded to the lawyer's comments, sharing their own perspectives on the contrasting work environments. One user pointed out, "I work with European bosses. They take work just as a small part of their life and expect us to do the same in India too, which is risky considering other teams around who think I’m never working."

Comparing People and Workplace Attitudes

The lawyer also mentioned the sense of kindness and approachability she found in Europe, something that stood in contrast to her experiences in Delhi. "To be honest, I’ve found people to be generally kinder, helpful, and more approachable here than back in Delhi. I also like the fact that I don’t have to constantly be on guard when I interact with anyone," she shared.

While her comments resonated with many, there were also others who argued that the comparison between the two economies might not be entirely fair. "Not everyone in India works past 12 AM and not everyone in Europe works 40 hours a week," one user noted. Another user from the UK, with experience working with Indian outsourcers, shared their concerns, saying, "I have worked with outsourcers in India and I have been horrified at the way that Indian employees are treated."

The conversation about work culture in India versus Europe has opened up a broader discussion about workplace expectations, employee rights, and the balance between work and personal life. While there is no universal solution, it is clear that many professionals in India are yearning for changes that would allow them to achieve a healthier work-life balance, similar to what is often seen in European countries.

As more individuals like this lawyer share their experiences abroad, the debate is likely to continue, shining a spotlight on the ongoing struggles and aspirations of the Indian workforce.