An Indian professional living in Norway has sparked a global conversation on work-life balance after sharing how his boss reprimanded him—not for poor performance, but for working too much.
Vinod, who moved to Norway around 15 years ago, said he carried with him what he described as a typical Indian work ethic: working weekends, skipping lunch breaks, staying late in the office and pushing through illness to meet deadlines.
Expected praise, received a warning
According to Vinod, he was called into his manager’s office during his early days in Norway and assumed he was about to be praised for his dedication. Instead, the conversation took an unexpected turn.
His manager reportedly pointed out that he had replied to work emails on a Saturday and had cancelled a planned vacation to complete a project. Rather than appreciating the effort, the boss expressed concern over the behaviour.
The manager emphasised that vacations were mandatory and that junior employees often learn workplace habits by observing senior colleagues.
A lesson in work-life balance
Vinod said he was left confused by the reaction, noting that similar behaviour in many Indian workplaces could be viewed as a sign of exceptional commitment. However, in Norway, overworking was seen as setting an unhealthy example.
Reflecting on the experience, he said it forced him to reconsider the culture of constant hustle and productivity that had shaped much of his career.
Social media joins the debate
The post quickly went viral, with many users comparing workplace cultures across countries. Several commenters praised Scandinavian approaches that prioritise employee well-being, personal time and mental health, while others highlighted the pressures of long working hours common in many industries.
The discussion has reignited conversations around burnout, workplace expectations and whether productivity should be measured by hours worked or outcomes achieved.