A woman from Delhi shared a video describing how she was allegedly refused further consideration for a job after questioning a company’s work culture during a call with a Human Resources representative (HR).
The video was posted by Instagram user Udita, where she narrated her interaction with the HR. According to her, the conversation began normally, with the HR explaining that the role required a six-day work week, with Sundays off.
However, things took a turn when Udita asked if Saturdays could be flexible or remote, saying she was open to working but preferred doing so from home. She said the HR responded by stating that the company was looking for candidates with a “CEO-level attitude.”
Questioning the remark, Udita said she asked the recruiter whether the company was hiring for a CEO-level position. According to her, the call ended abruptly soon after.
In the video, she went on to question the work culture, saying, “I just want to know, since when have we started glorifying the culture of overworking employees?”
She added that expecting work-life balance should not be seen as a lack of commitment, asking, “As a corporate employee if I wish to have some work-life balance in my life, what’s wrong with that?”
The video struck as a relatable issue with several users, who shared similar experiences and frustrations with hiring practices.
Some commenters expressed disbelief at the recruiter’s attitude, suggesting how HR professionals themselves often came across as unnecessarily rude or dismissive during basic interactions.
Others pointed out the irony of expecting a “CEO-level attitude” without offering corresponding compensation, saying such expectations should come with a “CEO-level salary.”
Several users also echoed Udita’s concern about workplace culture, adding that overwork and toxic environments were often normalised and even glorified under the label of hard work.
The incident added to ongoing conversations around work-life balance, hiring expectations, and corporate culture in India.