After moving to US, Indian-origin man says one workplace habit shocked him
Nitin Malhotra compared his work experiences in India and the US in an Instagram video. His remarks highlighted differences in overtime, boundaries and expectations around leaving on time.
An Indian-origin man living in the United States has sparked discussion online after sharing his perspective on work culture in India and America.
Drawing from nearly two decades of professional experience across both countries, he argued that the US offers a more structured approach to work-life balance, where employees are generally expected to disconnect once their workday ends.
The man, identified as Nitin Malhotra, shared his views in a video on Instagram titled “India vs USA work-life balance”. In the clip, he explained that he spent close to five years working in India before moving to the United States, where he has now lived for nearly 15 years and become a US citizen.
Reflecting on his early career in India, Malhotra said that leaving the office after completing a standard workday often drew attention from colleagues.
According to him, even after putting in a full eight-hour shift, heading home around 6 pm or 6:30 pm would sometimes invite curious looks, as though leaving on time was unusual. He recalled feeling that people around him often questioned why he was not staying back longer.
His experience in the United States, however, has been markedly different.
Watch the video here:
Malhotra said that once his scheduled work hours are complete, employees simply log off and leave without feeling pressured to stay longer. He added that co-workers and managers generally do not view this negatively, as work schedules are clearly defined and respected.
To illustrate the difference, he recounted an incident when his manager called him after office hours. While he chose to answer the call, he said the response from his manager surprised him. Instead of treating it as routine, she thanked him the following day and ensured he was compensated for the extra time he had spent working.
Malhotra explained that many workplaces in the US formally compensate employees for work beyond their scheduled hours, often at a higher overtime rate. He acknowledged that labour regulations and policies also exist in India, but felt that the cultural attitude towards personal time is stronger in the US.
He added that managers are generally careful about contacting employees outside work hours unless necessary, making it easier for people to maintain boundaries between their professional and personal lives.
The video has since attracted numerous reactions online, with many users sharing their own experiences and debating whether India should place a greater emphasis on work-life balance.
An Indian-origin man living in the United States has sparked discussion online after sharing his perspective on work culture in India and America.
Drawing from nearly two decades of professional experience across both countries, he argued that the US offers a more structured approach to work-life balance, where employees are generally expected to disconnect once their workday ends.
The man, identified as Nitin Malhotra, shared his views in a video on Instagram titled “India vs USA work-life balance”. In the clip, he explained that he spent close to five years working in India before moving to the United States, where he has now lived for nearly 15 years and become a US citizen.
Reflecting on his early career in India, Malhotra said that leaving the office after completing a standard workday often drew attention from colleagues.
According to him, even after putting in a full eight-hour shift, heading home around 6 pm or 6:30 pm would sometimes invite curious looks, as though leaving on time was unusual. He recalled feeling that people around him often questioned why he was not staying back longer.
His experience in the United States, however, has been markedly different.
Watch the video here:
Malhotra said that once his scheduled work hours are complete, employees simply log off and leave without feeling pressured to stay longer. He added that co-workers and managers generally do not view this negatively, as work schedules are clearly defined and respected.
To illustrate the difference, he recounted an incident when his manager called him after office hours. While he chose to answer the call, he said the response from his manager surprised him. Instead of treating it as routine, she thanked him the following day and ensured he was compensated for the extra time he had spent working.
Malhotra explained that many workplaces in the US formally compensate employees for work beyond their scheduled hours, often at a higher overtime rate. He acknowledged that labour regulations and policies also exist in India, but felt that the cultural attitude towards personal time is stronger in the US.
He added that managers are generally careful about contacting employees outside work hours unless necessary, making it easier for people to maintain boundaries between their professional and personal lives.
The video has since attracted numerous reactions online, with many users sharing their own experiences and debating whether India should place a greater emphasis on work-life balance.
