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The man shared that he was “confused” after his boss scolded him because in India he would have been praised for “pushing” himself constantly, even if not well.
Indian Man Got ‘Scolded’ By Norwegian Boss For ‘Working Too Much’: ‘Vacation Is Mandatory’
At a time when there are a lot of discussions around work-life balance in corporate world, an Indian man, who moved to Norway over a decade ago for work, shared how his “Indian work ethics” once got him scolded by his boss. In a post shared on X, Vinod recounted how Norway’s workplace culture prioritises life outside of work over constantly “pushing” oneself.
“15 years ago, I moved to Norway… carrying my Indian work ethic – weekend work, skipped lunches, late evenings, and pushing myself even when I was not well,” Vinod said. He thought he was going to be praised for his effort at his workplace, but what happened next left him “confused.”
He explained, “During my early days in Norway, my boss called me in. I thought I was going to be praised. You replied to my email on Saturday. And you cancelled your vacation to deliver a project without telling me. I know you meant well, but that is not okay. Vacation is mandatory. You never skip it. Your juniors are watching you. If they see this, they will think this is what dedication means.”
Vinod continued, “I got scolded… for working too much. I sat there confused. In India, this might have earned me a ‘highly dedicated remark. Here, it was a problem.”
Once he realised what his Norwegian boss meant, Vinod broke down and reflected on all the years he had spent grinding in India. He said, “That day broke something in me. It made me see the hustle, the anxiety, and the need to keep grinding all the time – and for the first time, I broke in tears for everything it had quietly cost me.”
Internet Says, “They Are Living Life. We Are Just Living”
His post struck a chord with many. Several social media users also shared their harrowing experiences at offices in India.
15 years ago, I moved to Norway 🇳🇴… carrying my Indian work ethic – weekend work, skipped lunches, late evenings, and pushing myself even when I was not well.Then one day, during my early days in Norway, my boss called me in. I thought I was going to be praised.
You replied…
— Vinod (@turiyatman) June 10, 2026
“This hit hard. In India, overworking is still seen as dedication, while healthy boundaries are viewed as weakness. Your Norwegian boss taught a powerful lesson real leadership protects well-being, not burnout. We need this culture shift badly. Thanks for sharing!” said one user.
A different person commented, “Corporate working schedules will remain the same in India. One will be working more than the other to earn positive work tags and praises from the manager. This will not change any sooner. Happy that things are different in Norway.”
“Many workplaces still reward burnout and call it dedication. The best leaders know that sustainable performance beats endless sacrifice every time,” remarked someone else.
“They are living life. We are just living,” another person quipped.
Meanwhile, someone shared, “One day, I had a high fever, and when I said I needed to leave, my boss asked me to complete two tasks before leaving. On the same day, I was hospitalised, and even then, half a day’s salary was deducted. It was not about the money for me; it was about humanity. No dignity. Most of the employees have left the job due to a lack of dignity and respect in the workplace.”
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