For some freshers, the first job is beginning to look less like a learning phase and more like a test of endurance.
A fresher working 13-hour days, with no weekends and just two leaves a month, turned to Reddit with a simple question: “Is this normal?”
The post quickly went viral, not because it was unusual, but because it struck a nerve. Many users called it “straight-up exploitation,” while others dismissed it as the inevitable “grind phase” at the start of a career. Between these reactions lies a deeper concern: are India’s newest employees being conditioned to accept burnout as the price of entry?
For many first-time workers, the early days of employment are no longer centred on structured learning. Instead, they often become a test of endurance. Long hours, late-night messages, weekend work, and unspoken expectations are increasingly framed as signs of commitment. In a tight job market, freshers may hesitate to question these norms, worried about appearing ungrateful or easily replaceable.
As one industry voice noted, “Given the current weak job market, overwork is increasingly normalised,” with some freshers reporting 13-hour days, weekend shifts, and just two days off a month. Yet resistance is also growing, raising a broader question: are freshers being trained to equate success with exhaustion?
ARE FRESHERS FACING OVERWORK AS THE NEW REALITY?
For many early-career professionals, the answer increasingly appears to be yes. In high-growth sectors such as technology, logistics, and quick commerce, extended workdays are often framed as commitment rather than overload.
Some fresher candidates report 12–14-hour days, weekend shifts, and only two days off per month, particularly in startup ecosystems in Bengaluru and Mumbai. These schedules can exceed limits outlined in India’s Factories Act and various Shops and Establishments Acts, which typically cap working hours at 9–12 hours per day and 48 hours per week, with overtime compensation. However, enforcement for white-collar roles remains inconsistent.
Sarbojit Mallick, co-founder, Instahyre, notes that “given the current weak job market, overwork is increasingly normalised.” He adds that some freshers confirmed “13-hour days, weekend shifts, and just two days off monthly,” often exceeding legal caps, especially in IT and startup roles. The trend, he suggests, is driven by job scarcity and hustle culture, but it is also leading to burnout.
At the same time, he observes a shift: “Gen Z is pushing back, quitting early, unlike prior generations, and rejecting toxic norms and low pay.”
WHAT DO EMPLOYEES REALLY THINK ABOUT EXTENDED WORK HOURS?
Despite the normalisation of long workdays, employees are far from enthusiastic about them. A survey by staffing firm Genius HRTech titled “Extended Work Hours a Deal Breaker? Nearly Half of Employees Would Quit” highlights growing resistance.
The findings show that 44 per cent of respondents believe longer working hours would negatively affect their personal time, health, and overall well-being. Around 40 per cent said they might consider extended hours if accompanied by appropriate compensation, while only 16 per cent expressed openness to longer schedules as a productivity booster.
Equally significant is the demand for participation in workplace decisions. Nearly 79 per cent of respondents said they want to be consulted before any changes to work hours are implemented, highlighting a strong desire for transparency and collaborative policymaking.
Together, the results suggest employees may be pragmatic, but not blindly accepting, when it comes to extended working hours.
HOW OVERWORKED IS INDIA COMPARED TO GLOBAL STANDARDS?
Data from the International Labour Organisation shows that Indian employees average 45.7 hours of work per week, placing the country among the most overworked labour markets alongside Bangladesh, Mongolia, and Iran.
The pressure is even more intense in the gig economy. A survey released by non-profit Janpahal and the Gig Workers Association found that nearly one in four gig workers clocks more than 70 hours each week, while 57 per cent report working more than 49 hours weekly.
These findings have intensified conversations around burnout and work-life balance, particularly in sectors such as technology, logistics, and quick commerce, where rapid expansion often demands long schedules.
WHY ARE FRESHERS MORE LIKELY TO ACCEPT OVERWORK?
Shantanu Rooj, Founder and CEO, TeamLease Edtech, says long working hours themselves are not new, but how freshers interpret them is changing.
He explains that “a section of freshers, especially in high-pressure sectors or smaller firms, may still accept overwork because they lack benchmarks, fear losing the opportunity, or see it as the price of entry.” However, he also notes that the newest cohort is not uniformly passive, with many becoming more aware of boundaries and workplace expectations.
From an organisational standpoint, he cautions against using long hours as a substitute for proper training. “If freshers are expected to ‘figure it out’ through long hours rather than guided learning, it signals a gap in how roles and productivity are being designed.”
Over time, this approach can be counterproductive. Rooj adds that “burnout reduces learning quality, retention, and long-term performance,” and sustainable organisations should develop early talent through clarity, coaching, and measurable outcomes, not exhaustion.
IS HUSTLE CULTURE CLASHING WITH GEN Z EXPECTATIONS?
The debate reflects a transition in workplace culture. Traditional models often equate long hours with dedication, while younger professionals increasingly prioritise outcomes, flexibility, and mental well-being.
This shift is creating friction. Employers scaling rapidly may still expect availability beyond standard hours, while freshers entering the workforce are more likely to question unsustainable demands. The result is growing pushback, sometimes through early exits rather than internal escalation.
ARE FRESHERS BEING TRAINED FOR GROWTH, OR BURNOUT?
The viral Reddit post may have sparked the conversation, but the issue extends far beyond a single experience. Long working hours for freshers reflect a broader workplace culture shaped by competition, job insecurity, and hustle-driven expectations.
However, the response is evolving. Surveys show employees want transparency, compensation, and consultation. Industry voices warn that burnout undermines learning and retention. And Gen Z professionals are increasingly willing to walk away from unsustainable roles.
The question, then, is not just whether freshers are being pushed to accept overwork, but whether organisations will rethink early-career expectations. Because conditioning new employees to equate success with exhaustion may not build high performers, it may simply create a generation that learns to leave sooner.