I Won’t Work 5 Days in the Office’: Indian Employee Sparks Debate on Work Culture and Cost of Living

The debate over return-to-office (RTO) policies has been heating up, and a recent viral LinkedIn post by an Indian woman living in London has reignited discussions. The 25-year-old professional firmly stated that she refuses to work five days a week in an office, citing the high cost of living and stagnating salaries as primary reasons.

The Cost of Commuting in London

In her post, she argued that working from the office full-time would force her to drain a significant portion of her salary on London’s expensive commute. Despite being in a well-paying career, she admitted that she struggles to cover her monthly expenses.

“I’m 25, in a so-called ‘good’ career, living in London, and still clawing my way out of my bills every month. I’ll probably never own a home.”

Her words resonated with many young professionals facing similar financial struggles. The cost of housing, transportation, and basic necessities has surged, yet salaries have not kept pace.

The Corporate Ladder Struggles

She also highlighted another growing frustration among young professionals: career progression. She pointed out that many top positions in companies are occupied by individuals who are unlikely to retire anytime soon, leaving limited growth opportunities for younger employees.

“Climbing the corporate ladder? Not exactly a dream when the jobs at the top are held by people who won’t budge until they retire.”

For many Gen Z employees, the idea of working harder for minimal pay increases while still struggling with financial security does not seem appealing.

Stagnating Salaries and Workplace Inequality

One of the most striking points in her post was the disparity in workplace benefits between generations. According to her, Gen Z is expected to work under the same salary structures from five to ten years ago, despite the cost of living increasing drastically.

“Meanwhile, the older generations have their houses, savings, and vacations—yet we’re the ones being told we need to ‘show up’ more.”

She also compared the perks enjoyed by older generations, such as free lunches, reimbursed travel, and generous bonuses, to the reality of today’s workplace.

“Early Millennials, Gen X, and boomers at some point in their careers got free lunches, reimbursed travel, traveling to new places for work, bonuses, stock options, and actual face-to-face meetings with clients over coffee. Now? A slice of lukewarm pizza and a beer after work if you’re lucky.”

Flexibility Over Office Presence

The employee’s post concluded with a strong statement on why Gen Z values flexibility over rigid office requirements. She emphasized that younger employees prioritize work-life balance, health, and financial security over physically being in an office just for the sake of it.

“We prioritize flexibility, health, and not draining a third if not more of our income just to be physically present at a desk.”

The Bigger Picture: A Changing Work Culture

This viral post highlights the growing divide between traditional corporate expectations and the evolving needs of the younger workforce. Companies that insist on full-time office presence may struggle to retain talent as more employees prioritize flexibility and financial well-being over outdated workplace norms.

As the RTO debate continues, organizations need to rethink their approach. A hybrid work model or increased salary adjustments might be necessary to accommodate the changing priorities of today’s workforce.

Reference from:-https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/i-won-t-work-5-days-in-the-office-indian-employee-refuses-to-drain-income-on-london-commute-101742182576517.html