A job seeker’s viral video has reignited the debate over “hustle culture” after a promising interview ended abruptly. An Instagram user recently shared a bizarre encounter where a simple request for Saturday work-from-home flexibility was met with a lecture on corporate devotion. When HR claimed they only hire people with a “CEO-level attitude,” the candidate’s witty retort about the actual job title prompted the recruiter to hang up.
“Asked for WFH on Saturdays… got told they need a ‘CEO-level attitude,’ Instagram user Udita wrote. She added, “If setting boundaries disqualifies me, I’m okay missing out — because real leadership isn’t about overworking, it’s about knowing your worth.”
In a now-viral video, Udita recounted a recent job interview experience that took a sharp turn into absurdity. Throughout the initial conversation, everything seemed to be progressing smoothly until the discussion shifted to the company’s rigid six-day workweek policy. Seeking a bit of flexibility, Udita politely asked whether there was any possibility of a work-from-home arrangement on Saturdays.
The recruiter’s response was swift and dismissive. The HR representative not only rejected the request but also went a step further, claiming the company was exclusively looking for candidates with a “CEO-level attitude”. Stunned and frustrated by the high-pressure rhetoric for what was presumably a standard role, Udita fired back, asking whether the position she was interviewing for was actually for the CEO. Rather than providing an answer, the HR allegedly hung up the phone.
How did social media react?
An individual posted, “Well said, people usually tend to become submissive not just at the interview level but also at the workplace, but the courage you showed is remarkable!!! Keep going.” Another commented, “I don’t think CEOs do as much work as normal employees.”
A third expressed, “CEO’s own the company and have a personal stake. Unless the employee receives a generous amount of stock pre-IPO or a fat salary, HR has no business expecting all this nonsense. Probably some company with barely qualified HR.” A fourth wrote, “Salary bhi CEO walo doo [Give salary befitting for a CEO].”
As the “hustle culture” era faces growing scrutiny, these incidents highlight a widening gap between rigid traditional management and a workforce that prioritises mental health and clear boundaries.