Mumbai Copywriter’s Viral Post Exposes ‘Unhealthy Expectations’ in Indian Offices

Mumbai Copywriter’s Viral Post Exposes ‘Unhealthy Expectations’ in Indian Offices
MUMBAI—A Mumbai-based copywriter has sparked a massive online debate about the state of work culture in India after her candid post on LinkedIn listed ten outdated and “unhealthy” expectations prevalent in many Indian offices. The post, which quickly went viral, resonated deeply with thousands of professionals who feel pressured by an “always-on” culture, fueling calls to prioritize mental well-being and set firmer workplace boundaries.
The Viral Call for Change
Aditi Ganvir, a copywriter from Mumbai, took to LinkedIn to share a list of practices she believes Indian companies must urgently abandon, using the provocative title: “Indian work culture needs to change, and these practices should have died with floppy disks.”
Her detailed post highlighted the structural issues and toxic behaviors that undermine employee peace and identity outside of work. The ten demands she cited as outdated and damaging included:
Being shamed for leaving on time.
Salary deduction for late coming, but no overtime pay.
Work-from-home counted as a holiday.
Sandwich leave rules (requiring an employee to take two extra days of leave if a single day of leave falls between two holidays/weekends).
Casual sexism disguised as “just joking.”
“Let’s quickly connect” messages at 9:32 pm.
“We’re like a family here,” until appraisal season arrives.
“Mental health matters,” until someone asks for a day off.
Minimum punch-in hours.
Micromanagement being rebranded as “attention to detail.”
Reclaiming Identity and Peace
While the list itself drew wide agreement, Ganvir’s follow-up message struck an even stronger chord. She described the emotional toll of layoffs, noting how people lose not just jobs, but “their identities, peace, income, stability, self-confidence, hair,” because they are conditioned to treat employment like “oxygen.”
Her message was a powerful reminder that jobs should be viewed as part of life, not life itself. She encouraged professionals to give their 100% during work hours but emphasized the necessity of building parallel passions and financial security.
“No I’m not saying slack off, give your 100%. But give it during work hours,” Ganvir wrote. “It’s okay to lose your job but not YOU.”
The Widespread Response
The post quickly garnered thousands of reactions and shares, with the comments section becoming a forum for working professionals to share their own experiences with long, glamorized hours and over-commitment in the Indian corporate sector.
Users collectively agreed that the culture of endless hustle and unquestioning sacrifice needed to end. The sentiment reflects a growing demand among the Indian workforce for greater work-life balance, firmer boundaries, and corporate respect for personal time and mental wellness.
This viral message serves as a clear indication that a significant shift in corporate mindset is necessary, with employees demanding that performance and productivity be measured during work hours, allowing them the space to live fulfilling lives outside of the office.