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A Pune man working the 7:30 pm to 4:30 am US shift shared how higher pay and global exposure come with sleepless nights, health concerns and a shrinking social life.
His pros-and-cons list sparked debate online
Many professionals in India work overnight to match US business hours. While the schedule often comes with better pay and global exposure, it can also affect sleep, health and social life. A man from Pune recently shared his experience of working a US shift and listed both the benefits and drawbacks of following a night-time work routine.
His post started a discussion among people who have worked similar schedules.
He Listed Both Sides
Sayak Roy, who is based in Pune, posted a video on Instagram talking about what it is like to work from 7:30 pm to 4:30 am. In the caption, he explained why some people choose such shifts despite the unusual timings.
“Pros of Working in US Shift (7:30 pm to 4:30 am) from India: Higher salary with night shift allowances, working with empathetic people and a humane work culture where there is strictly no work after office hours, exposure to international clients and improved communication, flexible daytime hours for personal work and side quests, and no Monday blues because work starts on Monday evening.”
According to Roy, the shift offers financial benefits and the opportunity to work with teams based abroad. He also pointed out that having free time during the day can help people manage personal tasks more easily.
The Challenges Are Harder
At the same time, Roy said the schedule comes with several downsides that should not be ignored.
“Cons of Working in US Shift (7:30 pmto 4:30 am) from India: Disturbed sleep cycle and poor sleep quality, as India does not stop just because you are sleeping, higher chances of health issues like obesity and digestion problems, difficulty maintaining social life and relationships, mental health challenges such as anxiety and mood swings, eye strain, reduced physical activity due to nighttime work, and lower energy levels during the daytime.”
He explained that sleeping during the day can be difficult because of daily activities and noise around you. He also highlighted concerns related to health, fitness and maintaining relationships while following a night schedule.
Users Shared Their Experiences
The post received many responses from people who had either worked US shifts themselves or knew others who had.
A user wrote, “Been doing it for 5+ years now, completely agree with both pros and the cons, too!!”
Another commented, “Best suited for night owls and people who feel most comfortable in the dead silence of the night.”
Some people felt the experience depends largely on the company employees work for. A user wrote, “You forgot to mention in good company.”
Others, however, felt the disadvantages were more significant than the benefits. “Nothing fancy! Give it a year, and your body will go through drastic changes. I agree with the pros, but the cons outweigh them. I would prefer a day shift over a US shift any time, if the opportunity exists,” a user said.
Another commented, “Don’t normalise this.” “I would rather stay unemployed than take this shift. Never do it. It is a complete zombie life,” another user wrote.
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