In an emotional Reddit post that has struck a chord with thousands, an anonymous employee has laid bare the heartbreaking consequences of overworking in India’s high-pressure corporate environment. Shared on the subreddit Indian Workplace, the viral post tells the story of a man whose long-awaited promotion came at the cost of missing a special evening planned by his girlfriend — a painful reminder of how success can sometimes leave behind emotional scars.
The employee had just been promoted, a milestone he and his girlfriend had looked forward to. She had planned a quiet dinner to celebrate, cooking his favorite dal makhani and tandoori rotis. He had promised to be home by 8 PM. But as the evening approached, a familiar pattern returned. At 7:30 PM, his manager messaged him on Slack with a “critical” bug fix needed before day-end for a client in Mumbai.
What was meant to be a celebratory evening spiraled into another all-nighter. The man worked into the early hours, finally messaging “Done” at 1:12 AM. The celebration never happened. The house was dark, the food untouched, and the silence heavy. “I said sorry and went to my room,” he wrote. “She didn’t say anything. But I could feel it. I failed her.”
The post sparked a wave of empathy and anger online, with many fellow professionals sharing similar experiences. Commenters criticized India’s toxic work culture, where long hours and constant availability are normalized, often at the expense of personal well-being and relationships.
Some offered advice, encouraging the employee to set firmer boundaries, even suggesting using fabricated personal emergencies to escape unreasonable work expectations. Others pointed out that his sense of guilt showed he truly cared about his partner — a rarity in a culture where emotional neglect is often overlooked.
One comment read, “It’s the sad reality of life in Indian workplaces. We are just cheap labour where our personal lives don’t matter.” Another user expressed hope, saying the post was a “wake-up call” for workers and employers alike.
More than a single moment of regret, the post reflects a systemic issue — the emotional cost of always being “on call.” As Indian professionals continue to chase promotions and recognition, stories like this serve as reminders that while careers may climb, relationships often pay the price.