'The real reason Indians don't return from Canada isn't the air or food': Indian techie in Canada explains why

For many people in India, the reasons behind Indians settling abroad are often linked to cleaner air, better roads or a higher standard of living. But according to Rohit Gupta, an Indian IT professional who has spent the last seven years in Halifax, Canada, the biggest reason has little to do with any of those things. Instead, he believes the answer lies in one major difference between workplaces in Canada and India: work-life balance.

In a video titled Why Indians abroad don't return home?, Gupta shared his perspective after years of living and working in Canada. He said many people assume that better food, water, air quality or civic sense are what keep Indians from returning home.

However, Gupta dismissed that idea, saying those factors are not the main reason for people who have spent the first two decades of their lives in India. According to him, what truly makes a difference is the healthier work culture and greater respect for employees' personal time.

Why work-life balance matters

Gupta explained that in Canada, fixed office timings are taken seriously. If an employee's workday ends at 5 pm, there is no expectation to remain in the office simply to appear hardworking or impress a manager.

He said employees are not rewarded for staying back unnecessarily. In fact, he pointed out that managers themselves usually leave on time, reinforcing a culture where finishing work within office hours is considered normal rather than exceptional.

The difference in leave culture

Gupta also drew a comparison between how leave requests are handled in Canadian and Indian workplaces.
Speaking about India, he claimed that some employees feel pressured to organise replacements, complete detailed knowledge transfers and justify even a short two- or three-day leave. He recalled hearing about situations where managers worried about how work would continue during an employee's absence.

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By contrast, Gupta said Canadian workplaces are generally more understanding when employees need time off. According to him, workers can openly discuss feeling mentally drained, homesick or wanting to travel, and longer breaks of 15 to 20 days are often accommodated.

He added that managers appreciate honesty, saying employees are encouraged to communicate openly rather than hide burnout or personal challenges.

A different approach to work

For Gupta, the biggest advantage of working in Canada is not luxury or lifestyle but a workplace culture that respects personal boundaries. He believes employees are judged more by the quality of their work than by the number of hours they spend at their desks.

His observations have sparked conversations online about work-life balance, office culture and whether healthier workplace practices could encourage more professionals to consider returning to India in the future.