'Asking leave is like begging in India': Indian techie in Singapore contrasts work culture, sparks massive debate online

A short Instagram video by a techie in Singapore has quickly sparked conversations around burnout and long working hours. An Indian man working in Singapore has sparked a massive discussion online after he shared a video comparing workplace attitudes in India with those in Singapore. He also revealed that moving abroad shifted his perspective on time off.

The man posted a video contrasting the work cultures of the two countries, specifically regarding leave policies. In the viral video clip, Aman offered glimpses of his Singapore office while narrating his thoughts. He highlighted several key differences he experienced after moving to Singapore, adding that in India, employees often have to "beg" for leave and give excuses like family emergencies, whereas in Singapore, he simply informs his employer about his leave.

Techie on Singapore work culture

Aman described in Singapore, employees and employers maintain a clear boundary after 6 pm and his phone is his own, not his boss's, with "no calls, no guilt, just life". Aman suggested that in India, sitting in the office past 8 pm is often seen as "hard work," while abroad, it is viewed as being "exploited". He noted that employees should not have to justify their time off in a healthy work culture.


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“India me leave maangne ke liye humein beg karna padta tha, sir tabiyat kharab hai, sir family emergency, we had to invent tragedy just to get a Friday leave. Here in Singapore I do not ask, I just inform. Shaam 6 baje baad mera phone mera hai, boss ka nahi, no calls, no guilt, just life. Agar tum 8 baje ke baad office me baith kar hard work kar rahe ho toh tum hard working nahi, tum bas exploited ho yaar," he said.

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A post shared by Aman♠️ (@amandailylogs)

Aman explained that relocating to Singapore led to what he described as his biggest mindset shift. "The biggest mindset shift I had moving to Singapore. Stop justifying your time off. In toxic cultures, you feel the need to explain why you aren't working. You over-share details hoping for sympathy approvals. In a growth culture, you simply Notify. "Sir, can I please take leave for X reason?" "I will be OOO from Monday to Wednesday." Be a professional who manages time, not a child asking for recess. Do you still feel scared to send that OOO email?", he captioned the video.

How netizens reacted

Aman's post quickly resonated with netizens and sparked a relatable discussion about Indian work culture. Many social media users commented that Western workplaces operate on a "high-trust" model, while Indian workplaces often focus on an employee's constant availability.

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The video garnered several reactions from viewers. One user wrote, "Hope GenZ's change this in India" while another shared, "I also want this kind of work culture" as the clip continued circulating.

A third viewer commented, "As an Indian I completely relate with Indian toxic work culture" and another added, "You are doing your dream job" praising his improved work life balance. Someone else remarked, "This is so cool" while another user admitted, "I am jealous of you bro".

Earlier, another Instagram post by an Indian software engineer in Germany, ignited a massive online discussion, after he opened up about the country’s work culture, drawing a stark comparison with that in India. In an Instagram post, he highlighted how the work-life balance concept is sidelined in Indian offices, often leading to burnout.

“It’s very common in Indian workplaces to burn out yourself and give 200%. That is the expectation and that is what everyone does. So if you don’t do it, you will start falling back in the race,” Kaustav Banerjee wrote in his post.

He confessed that at the start of his career, the very concept of "work-life balance" was completely foreign. "This all changed after I moved to Germany, I saw a better culture at the workplace and I cannot even start to praise the numerous good things," he stated.