“I replied to a mail on Saturday”: Indian professional in Norway says boss’s reaction left him shocked

An Indian professional who moved to Norway has sparked a wider discussion on work-life balance after sharing how drastically different workplace norms felt compared to India. The professional, Vinod, recounted an incident that made him reconsider years of embracing hustle culture and overworking back home.

In a post on X, Vinod shared that when he relocated to Norway 15 years ago, he carried with him what he described as his “Indian work ethic” — working on weekends, skipping lunch breaks, staying late, and even working through illness.



"Then one day, during my early days in Norway, my boss called me in. I thought I was going to be praised," he wrote.

Boss’s reaction leaves him surprised

Instead of appreciation, Vinod said his boss raised concerns about his work habits.

“You replied to my email on Saturday. And you cancelled your vacation to deliver a project without telling me. I know you meant well, but that is not okay.”

“Vacation is mandatory. You never skip it. Your juniors are watching you. If they see this, they will think this is what dedication means.”

The feedback came as a shock to him.
"I got scolded… for working too much," he wrote.

A stark contrast to Indian workplaces

Vinod highlighted how such behaviour might have been perceived very differently in India.

"I sat there confused. In India, this might have earned me a 'highly dedicated' remark. Here, it was a problem."

Reflecting on the experience, he added, “It made me see the hustle, the anxiety, and the need to keep grinding all the time - and for the first time, I broke in tears for everything it had quietly cost me.”

Internet reacts to the experience

Vinod ended his post by asking followers about their own experiences with workplace culture.

“Your thoughts - how are bosses and corporate culture today for you,” he asked.

The post drew strong reactions online. "They are living life. We are just living,” one user commented.

“Work-life balance is a dream in India,” wrote another user.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on X. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.