‘No Sir Culture, No Hierarchy': Indian Employee On Corporate Life In Sweden
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In the clip, the Software developer shared that employees in Sweden often arrive at the office by 8 a.m., and some workplaces even provide a complimentary breakfast tostarttheday.
Work-life balance in India is a significant concern, with many employees reporting dissatisfaction and experiencing burnout due to long working hours and a culture that often prioritises work over personal well-being. But this is the opposite in developed nations like Europe, where work-life balance isn't just a term but a norm practised by each company. Recently, an Indian techie, based in Sweden, gave a glimpse into how work-life looks in Europe and how it contrasts with the corporate grind in India.
In the clip, shared on Instagram, the Software developer shared that employees in Sweden often arrive in the office by 8 a.m. and some workplaces even provide complimentary breakfast to start the day. Workplaces are adaptable, as anyone, including the CEO, is free to sit anywhere they choose; no desks are designated.
He continued that there is no strict hierarchy, and no 'sir culture" in the office. 'Everyone is on the same level. Even our CEO sometimes sits next to me," he said, highlighting the 'flat structure" as a breath of fresh air compared to the often rigid dynamics in India.
Well, it just doesn't end here. In Sweden, during working hours, employees are encouraged to play games, take breaks, and get coffee. Additionally, some offices shorten the workday from eight to seven hours when summer arrives.
Notably, most of the workers leave the office by 4 or 4:30 to spend some quality time with their friends and family. 'Apko jaldi jaane ke liye apne manager ke jaane ka wait nahi karna padta (You don't have to wait for your manager to leave early)," he said.
He concluded the video by saying, 'Work-life balance is a reality here, not just a buzzword."
In no time, the comment section was flooded with reactions from several users. An Instagram user wrote, 'I enjoy the same work culture in Luxembourg and I feel I made a great decision to skip India's toxic corporate culture." Another one commented, 'I worked in Helsinki. And it has spoiled me for life. I never knew work-life balance existed! 8-4 working shifts. Everyone is so respectful of each other. Scandinavia rocks." One of them shared, 'Disclaimer – This video was just to make Indians jealous."
A person wrote, 'In my opinion, the IT industry in India has largely thrived due to the availability of inexpensive labour. Given this context, expecting a healthy work-life balance can be quite unrealistic."
However, many claimed to be living the same life in India as well. 'Hey, my office and work-life balance is even better than this," a comment reads. One of them shared, 'Working in a small org in Bangalore, India. Same practices as you mentioned."
The clip has gathered 86 lakh views since it was shared online.
In another viral clip, the Indian techie also showcased the variety of incentives that are often provided to employees in Swedish corporate settings. These include- a laptop and the latest iPhone as part of their welcome package.
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