A senior software engineer recently opened up about his distressing work experience on the subreddit Indian Workplace, drawing attention to the unspoken pressures many face in the tech industry. According to his post, his employer has mandated that he put in an extra 20 hours each week—on top of his regular job responsibilities—for learning and skill development.
These sessions, which are aimed at preparing him for a future technical leadership role, are entirely unpaid and compulsory. The company has made it clear that if he wishes to progress within the organization, completing these additional hours is not optional.
The employee elaborated that these learning hours stretch across three hours each weekday after work, with weekends also fully occupied. This has left him physically drained and mentally cornered, as he barely finds time to sleep or recover between sessions. What began as a professional opportunity has now turned into a taxing routine, pushing his work-life balance to the brink of collapse.
Alarming Health Concerns
What makes his situation even more worrying is the toll it has begun to take on his health. He mentioned recent medical consultations where his doctor strongly advised reducing stress due to symptoms related to cardiac strain, including heaviness in his chest. Despite this critical warning, he has refrained from informing his employer, fearing disbelief and further indifference. According to him, the company had already communicated there were no alternatives or accommodations available.
This has left him trapped in a situation where his health is deteriorating while he feels powerless to speak up or step away. Although he wishes to resign, the absence of a backup job offer holds him back, further intensifying his anxiety and exhaustion.
Reddit Community Responds With Support
Following his post, members of the online community responded with concern and practical advice. One user suggested that he directly request designated self-learning hours during his regular working schedule, implying that expecting employees to sacrifice their personal time for unpaid training is unreasonable. Another questioned the benefits of this extra work—specifically asking whether it would lead to a confirmed promotion or salary increase.
The employee clarified that no such guarantees had been offered. Instead, the company planned to shift employees into technical lead roles unofficially, expecting them to take on extra responsibilities without any immediate recognition or compensation.
Many commenters condemned this approach, stating that expecting 20 unpaid hours per week was not only exploitative but also unethical. One user advised limiting self-learning to a manageable one hour per day at most, and if management still insisted otherwise, to get their demands documented via email for future reference.
Health Over Hustle: The Message is Clear
A common theme echoed through multiple responses: no job is worth compromising one’s health. Users urged him to begin searching for new opportunities while continuing to challenge the unrealistic expectations set by his current employer. They emphasized that while jobs may come and go, health cannot be easily restored once damaged.
In short, the online community united to remind him—and others in similar positions—that one’s well-being should never be sacrificed for a title or vague promise of career advancement.
These sessions, which are aimed at preparing him for a future technical leadership role, are entirely unpaid and compulsory. The company has made it clear that if he wishes to progress within the organization, completing these additional hours is not optional.
The employee elaborated that these learning hours stretch across three hours each weekday after work, with weekends also fully occupied. This has left him physically drained and mentally cornered, as he barely finds time to sleep or recover between sessions. What began as a professional opportunity has now turned into a taxing routine, pushing his work-life balance to the brink of collapse.
Alarming Health Concerns
What makes his situation even more worrying is the toll it has begun to take on his health. He mentioned recent medical consultations where his doctor strongly advised reducing stress due to symptoms related to cardiac strain, including heaviness in his chest. Despite this critical warning, he has refrained from informing his employer, fearing disbelief and further indifference. According to him, the company had already communicated there were no alternatives or accommodations available.
This has left him trapped in a situation where his health is deteriorating while he feels powerless to speak up or step away. Although he wishes to resign, the absence of a backup job offer holds him back, further intensifying his anxiety and exhaustion.
Reddit Community Responds With Support
Following his post, members of the online community responded with concern and practical advice. One user suggested that he directly request designated self-learning hours during his regular working schedule, implying that expecting employees to sacrifice their personal time for unpaid training is unreasonable. Another questioned the benefits of this extra work—specifically asking whether it would lead to a confirmed promotion or salary increase.
The employee clarified that no such guarantees had been offered. Instead, the company planned to shift employees into technical lead roles unofficially, expecting them to take on extra responsibilities without any immediate recognition or compensation.
Many commenters condemned this approach, stating that expecting 20 unpaid hours per week was not only exploitative but also unethical. One user advised limiting self-learning to a manageable one hour per day at most, and if management still insisted otherwise, to get their demands documented via email for future reference.
Health Over Hustle: The Message is Clear
A common theme echoed through multiple responses: no job is worth compromising one’s health. Users urged him to begin searching for new opportunities while continuing to challenge the unrealistic expectations set by his current employer. They emphasized that while jobs may come and go, health cannot be easily restored once damaged.
In short, the online community united to remind him—and others in similar positions—that one’s well-being should never be sacrificed for a title or vague promise of career advancement.
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