Europe is Chilling, Japan is Perfecting Overwork, and India? We’re Stuck in an Endless Overtime Loop
90-Hour Workweek Debate Continues…
Ever scrolled through social media and stumbled upon someone freshly back from Europe, ranting about how they feel “cheated” after experiencing a sane work-life balance?
Well, welcome to the Great Work Culture Reality Check—where some countries have mastered balance, others glorify overwork, and India? We’re basically speed-running burnout like it’s a corporate badge of honor.
The latest viral X-post (formerly Twitter) highlights what many of us already suspected: India’s work culture isn’t just flawed, it’s fundamentally broken.
Let’s talk about it.
Work Cultures Around the World: Who’s Doing It Right?
If work-life balance were a buffet, here’s what different countries are serving:
Europe (France, Germany, Netherlands) → “Work to live.”
- Strict labor laws, mandatory vacation, and a hard stop after work hours.
- Burnout? Rare.
- Weekends? Actually sacred.
- Employees go on vacations without guilt and aren’t expected to be ‘always online.’
- Productivity? Still high, because rested minds work better.
Nordic Countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway) → “Minimal work, maximum life.”
- 4-day workweeks, long parental leaves, mental health focus.
- Workplaces emphasize trust and autonomy, not micromanagement.
- Employees don’t “log out” and secretly check Slack at 11 PM.
- People actually have hobbies outside of work.
Japan & South Korea → “Overwork as tradition.”
- Karoshi (death by overwork) is an actual term in Japan.
- South Korea recently tried to introduce a 69-hour workweek (people rioted).
- Work culture is rigid, deeply hierarchical, and draining.
- But at least there’s respect for discipline and skill mastery.
United States → “Hustle but with weekends.”
- Long hours, but at least salaries compensate.
- Work culture is intense, but people still get off days without HR giving death stares.
- Hybrid & remote work are becoming the norm.
- They invented quiet quitting—because, well, burnout’s a given.
Now, let’s talk about India—because, oh boy, this is where things take a toxic turn.
🇮🇳 India’s Work Culture: The Hustle Never Ends
India’s work culture isn’t just about long hours—it’s about normalized suffering.
Here’s why:
Long Hours = Hardworking (Not Productive, Just Present)
- The culture of “staying late” still defines commitment.
- If you leave on time, “Iska kaam khatam ho gaya?” stares follow.
- Promotion = Availability, Not Capability.
No Boundaries, No Personal Time
- “Arey, bas 5-min ka kaam hai.” (Famous last words at 9 PM.)
- Sunday calls, holiday emails, urgent weekend tasks.
- Bosses think availability = dedication.
Toxic “Be Grateful” Mentality
- You’re expected to be “grateful” for any job.
- Questioning work-life balance? “Bro, at least you have a job.”
- The “It was worse in our time” guilt trip from seniors.
Salaries vs. Living Costs Don’t Match
- High cost of living, but salaries lag behind.
- 90-hour workweeks for peanuts while companies report record profits.
- Promotions without pay hikes? Classic.
Glorification of “Struggle”
- We romanticize the “hustle” culture too much.
- Burnout = Badge of Honor.
- “Our parents worked harder!” But at what cost?
The Fix: How Can We Change This?
We might not get a French-style 35-hour workweek tomorrow, but here’s what we can aim for:
🔹 Respect Boundaries → Work ends when it’s supposed to end. Not when your boss decides.
🔹 Salary Should Match Effort → If you’re expected to work 60+ hours, compensation should reflect it.
🔹 Results > Presence → Productivity isn’t sitting in a chair till 10 PM—it’s about actual work.
🔹 Mental Health Awareness → Companies need to acknowledge burnout, not glorify it.
We can’t keep justifying toxic work culture in the name of “building the economy.” It’s time to demand better.
Final Thoughts: India Deserves Better Work Culture
The 90-hour workweek debate isn’t about being lazy—it’s about recognizing that grinding yourself to dust isn’t a badge of honor.
If work-life balance is good enough for Europe, the Nordics, and even the US, why are Indian employees expected to suffer for success?
What’s your take—are we too deep into hustle culture, or is change possible? Let’s discuss.
Yours in reasonable working hours and unpaid overtime rants,
Lucifer Morningstar
Read our Blog here – The Jugnu Express
Thank you for reading, if you liked this then check our earlier post on 90 hour workweek
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