An IITian’s viral exit reveals the gruelling reality of 70‑hour work weeks and the struggle for basic sick leave in India’s banking sector
When I got the call from the recruiter offering a ₹17 lakh per annum package, I was over the moon. Coming out of IIT Delhi, the idea of a big‑bank job felt like the ultimate validation of all those years of grueling exams and late‑night study sessions. I thought I was stepping into a bright future, but the reality turned out to be a different story altogether.
What happened next is interesting because it wasn’t a sudden, impulsive decision. It was a slow, painful buildup of stress that finally pushed me to the edge. The role was advertised as a typical 9‑to‑5 corporate banking slot, but within weeks the schedule stretched to a 9 am to 7 pm marathon. By the time the first month was over, the five‑day week vanished the bank shifted us to six‑day shifts, and every day felt like a battle against the clock.
Imagine walking into the office on a Monday, knowing you have a 70‑hour work week ahead. The first thing you notice is the lunchroom instead of a decent break, we were told we could only take 10 to 15 minutes for lunch. The management said it was to keep the workflow smooth, but in practice it meant we ate our meals standing, barely having time to swallow a bite of chapati before rushing back to the desk.
That was just the tip of the iceberg. The bank had aggressive sales expectations each employee was expected to close deals worth ₹10 crore. Missing those numbers didn’t just affect a bonus; it triggered endless performance reviews, extra overtime, and a constant feeling that you were being watched. It felt like every call, every email, every meeting was scored, and the scorecard never went in your favour.
Now, you might wonder why I even mention these details they are part of the breaking news that has been circulating all over social media. My short video clip went viral, and suddenly I became a part of the trending news India about workplace burnout. The comments poured in, and many people said they recognised themselves in my story.
One of the most shocking aspects was how sick leave was treated. On paper, the bank had a sick‑leave policy, but in reality, taking a single day off meant filling out a three‑page form, getting approvals from three different managers, and then being asked to prove you were actually sick. I remember one afternoon when I felt a migraine coming on; I called in, and the HR replied, “You’ll need a doctor’s note and a justification for why you couldn’t finish the pending deals.” It felt like the system was designed to make you think twice before ever resting.
When I finally decided to quit, I did not send a dramatic resignation letter. I typed a concise email, explaining that the deteriorating work‑life balance left me with no mental space to function. I attached a brief note about the pressure to meet ₹10 crore targets and the impossibility of taking proper sick leave. I wanted the message to be clear: this wasn’t about money, it was about health.
What happened next is interesting because my departure sparked a massive conversation online. The post quickly became viral news, and people started sharing their own experiences from different banks and financial institutions. One comment read, “I totally aGree i also left my Axis Bank job at 23 and now I’m working with SBI card on a backend role which also has a toxic environment but at least I don’t have to miss‑sell.” The thread turned into a collective reality check for many young professionals.
Even my family, who had always pushed me towards a high‑earning job, began to understand the hidden cost. My mother, who grew up hearing stories of “secure government jobs,” asked, “What’s the point of a big salary if you can’t breathe?” That question stayed with me, and it reminded me why mental health is priceless.
From a broader perspective, this story feeds into the larger discussion about employee rights in India. While the government has introduced various labor reforms, the reality on the ground often lags behind. The bank I left is part of a sector where turnover is high, yet the culture of long hours and high pressure remains unchallenged. The latest news India about work‑place reforms frequently mentions the need for more transparent sick‑leave policies, but the implementation stories are still scarce.
People were surprised by the fact that a ₹17 lakh package could be turned into a source of anxiety rather than pride. Many assumed that a big salary automatically meant a good life, but my experience proved otherwise. The mental strain was so severe that I started having trouble sleeping, and my productivity actually dropped a classic example of diminishing returns.
There were moments when I wondered if I was overreacting. After all, every job has challenges, right? But when you compare the stress levels with the culture in other Indian industries like the IT sector where 40‑hour weeks are common the contrast is stark. The bank’s expectation that employees would be constantly on their feet, handling high‑value deals without any proper break, was unrealistic.
When I share my story now, I do it with the hope that it becomes a part of the India updates that people look out for when deciding their careers. If you’re a fresh graduate, especially from a premier institute like IIT Delhi, you might feel the pressure to chase the biggest paycheck. My advice? Look beyond the numbers. Ask for clear sick‑leave policies, inquire about average weekly hours, and make sure you’re not stepping into a toxic grind that will cost you your peace of mind.
So, to anyone reading this the next time you see an attractive offer, remember that the salary is just one piece of the puzzle. The real question is: how will that role affect your health, your relationships, and your long‑term happiness? The conversation around work‑life balance is gaining momentum in India, and each story, like mine, adds fuel to the fire.
In the end, I chose mental health over a hefty paycheck, and that decision, though difficult, gave me the space to breathe again. I’ve started freelancing, taking on projects that respect my time, and even enrolled in a short‑term course on mindfulness. The journey is still new, but for the first time in years, I feel in control of my own schedule.
As the story keeps circulating, it’s becoming a reference point for many. If the banking sector sees even a fraction of this conversation turning into actionable change like stricter enforcement of sick‑leave rules or caps on weekly working hours then my resignation is more than just a personal exit; it’s a catalyst for a healthier work culture in India.
Finally, I want to thank everyone who reached out, shared their own experiences, and kept the discussion alive. The fact that this became a piece of breaking news tells me we’re all hungry for change. Let’s keep the dialogue going, and maybe the next generation won’t have to choose between a big salary and their sanity.
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