‘I’m mentally exhausted’: Civil engineer’s viral post on 6-day work weeks sparks debate on work-life balance in India
For many young graduates, landing a job after college is supposed to mark the beginning of financial independence and career growth. But for one 25-year-old civil engineer from Hyderabad, it has instead become a story of relentless work schedules, limited personal time and growing frustration. Her candid post on Reddit about working six days a week has struck a chord with thousands of professionals facing similar challenges.The engineer, a 2023 graduate from IIIT Nuzvid, shared that despite having three years of experience, she continues to work six days every week with little time left for herself or her family. Her emotional post has now sparked a wider conversation online about work-life balance, employee well-being, salaries, labour laws and whether India’s infrastructure and engineering sectors need urgent workplace reforms.
‘Sundays are only for recovering’: A routine many could relate to
In her post, the engineer described a routine that many professionals found painfully familiar. She wrote that after returning home from work each day, she barely has the energy to complete household chores or spend quality time with her family. Sundays, instead of offering rest or recreation, are spent recovering from the exhaustion of the previous six days before another work week begins.She also revealed that she currently earns Rs 23,000 per month after joining the company at Rs 20,000 in 2023, receiving annual increments of only Rs 1,000. According to her, a large portion of her salary goes towards rent, supporting her family and commuting expenses, leaving almost nothing for savings.What disappointed many readers was not just the long working hours but the feeling that employees often have little choice. The engineer mentioned that even while looking for alternative jobs, several companies in the sector continue to offer six-day work weeks, making it difficult to find better work-life balance without changing industries altogether.
IIIT graduate’s Reddit post highlights work-life balance challenges for India’s young professionals
Internet users say the problem goes beyond one company
The Reddit discussion quickly expanded beyond one employee’s experience. Many users working in civil engineering, construction, sales and even IT said they could relate to the struggle of six-day work weeks and long hours.Some professionals claimed that site-based infrastructure jobs often demand physically exhausting schedules, while others pointed out that design and consulting roles, especially in multinational companies serving overseas clients, generally offer five-day work weeks and comparatively healthier work cultures.Several commenters argued that the issue reflects broader concerns about labour practices in certain sectors. Discussions also touched upon employee welfare, overtime policies, workplace safety and the limited enforcement of work-life balance norms. A few users encouraged the engineer to explore opportunities in consulting firms, multinational organisations or overseas markets where working conditions may be more structured.Others, however, noted that switching jobs is easier said than done. Long notice periods, limited openings and financial responsibilities often prevent employees from making quick career moves, even when they are unhappy with their current workplaces.
A conversation that resonates beyond engineering
The viral discussion has once again highlighted how conversations around work-life balance are becoming increasingly important for India’s young workforce. While many professionals recognise that demanding jobs are sometimes unavoidable, they also believe that consistent long working weeks, limited personal time and stagnant salaries can eventually affect both productivity and mental well-being.The post has resonated not only with civil engineers but also with employees across industries who say they often struggle to maintain a healthy balance between professional commitments and personal life. As more people openly share their experiences on social media, workplace expectations and employee well-being are becoming part of a much larger national conversation.Whether this growing public discussion eventually leads to policy changes or shifts in workplace culture remains to be seen. For now, the engineer’s heartfelt post serves as a reminder that behind every infrastructure project, office building or development site are professionals hoping for not just career growth, but also the time and energy to enjoy life beyond work.Disclaimer: This article is based on a viral social media discussion and reflects the claims, experiences and opinions shared by users online. TOI Education has not independently verified the statements made in the original post or the comments. Readers are advised to treat social media content as anecdotal and not as conclusive evidence of workplace practices across any organisation or industry.
