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An Indian woman working in New Zealand shares how small workplace habits, from appreciation messages to leaving on time, changed her view of office culture and balance
Her comparison with India sparked a debate. (Instagram/ yamika.gandhi)
For many professionals, long hours and late-night work have become a normal part of office life. But an Indian woman working in New Zealand says her experience there has been completely different. She recently shared how simple gestures like appreciation from colleagues and being encouraged to leave work on time have changed the way she looks at work-life balance.
Her comparison between workplaces in India and New Zealand has sparked discussion online.
She Shares What Surprised Her
Yamika Gandhi posted a video on Instagram from her office at around 4 pm on a Friday. Most of her colleagues were not in the office because they usually work from home on Fridays.
In the video, Gandhi recalled finishing an important task when a colleague sent her a message saying, “Thank you Yamika, really appreciate the work that you do.” She said such messages still surprise her because she believes she is simply doing the job she is paid to do.
“I’m supposed to do this work, like I’m paid to do this work and yet every time I do something even mildly good, people notice it and they thank me and appreciate me for it,” she said, adding that it still feels like a “culture shock.”
Gandhi also shared that her colleagues often remind her not to stay in the office longer than necessary. “My colleagues often nudge me by saying, ‘Don’t stay too late’, ‘Go home soon’,” she said.
She added that when she joined the company, her manager clearly told her not to work beyond 40 hours a week. If she ever worked extra hours to meet a deadline, she was encouraged to take time off on another day.
She Compares It With India
Comparing her experiences, Gandhi said employees in India are often expected to work beyond office hours and even on weekends. “Hard work is often measured in the quantity of hours rather than the quality,” she said.
She added that many workers in India feel pressure to constantly prove themselves because they believe they can easily be replaced. “In New Zealand, you’re valued as an employee. And if you’re not doing well, then they check in with you and provide support,” Gandhi said.
According to her, people there stay focused during working hours and then spend the rest of their time with family, hobbies and personal interests. “And I just love the work culture here so much,” she concluded.
The video was shared with the caption, “Just a realisation I had about workplace culture in New Zealand.”
Social Media Users Share Their Views
The video received several reactions from viewers. A user wrote, “I have an Indian manager, and I work from home. Trust me, she is amazing.” Another commented, “So true! The work cultural shift is an eye opener.”
“This is so true. It is difficult to cope with the work culture in India, and it can be extremely exhausting,” another person said.
Not everyone agreed completely. A user wrote, “That sweet ‘thank you’ often comes from people who deliberately make others do their share of the work.” Another added, “I also want this kind of work culture in my office.”
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