A Russian woman, based in Bengaluru and working in India for the past 12 years, recently shared her observations about office culture in India compared to other countries. In an Instagram post, she listed practices that are “normal” in India but would be considered unusual elsewhere.
- Many employees wouldn’t leave the office until their direct manager went home.
- Politics is on a very different level and statement unfortunately.
- Many young professionals lived for work rather than balancing it with personal life.
- Late-night calls around 11 pm or emails at midnight were quite common.
Mixed Reactions from Bengaluru and Beyond
The post sparked several reactions online. One individual commented, “I don’t think Indians are very good at investing. Unfortunately, knowledge about investments is a bit lacking, but I see the improvement, so it’s only a matter of time before it becomes common practice rather than a rarity these days.”
Another said, “As an Indian I don’t like the work culture. Managers involve too much in personal matters. No privacy. Fully partial. Even the entitled holidays cannot be used.”
Work-Life Balance Remains a Challenge in Bengaluru Offices
Some users highlighted the toll of work culture on personal life. One wrote, “India has one of the worst & toxic work cultures. I have seen it first-hand. Be prepared for the worst.”
Another user reflected on the importance of taking breaks: “I really look forward to festival celebrations. When work gets overwhelming, those few days give you the balance you need to release frustration. The constant late-night emails, calls, and messages can be draining. After returning from the office, you need time to fully disconnect—whether it’s through a workout, cooking, reading, or just relaxing with Netflix. Your mind needs that pause. Too often, I’ve missed out on that time during weekdays, and in some places, even weekends get consumed by work. The higher you climb the ladder, the heavier the pressure becomes—and it’s not healthy. I genuinely enjoyed the early years of my career when work ended with office hours, and life outside work was still your own. Sadly, that phase didn’t last long.”
The Bengaluru-based professional’s post has since fueled a larger discussion about workplace norms, management practices, and the challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance in India’s corporate hubs.