‘I Work 12 Hours a Day, Feel Like a Labourer’: Gurugram Man’s Viral Post on Burnout
‘I Work 12 Hours a Day, Feel Like a Labourer’: Gurugram Man’s Viral Post on Burnout
A video shared by a Gurugram-based professional has sparked a major online discussion about workplace burnout and the struggle to maintain work-life balance among India’s urban professionals. The clip, posted by Instagram user Director Dayal, has gone viral, striking a chord with many who relate to the exhaustion and long hours common in corporate life.
In the emotional video, Dayal opens up about the toll his demanding schedule has taken on his mental and physical health. “I’ve been working 12-hour shifts. My condition is worse than a labourer’s,” he said, describing how relentless work pressure leaves little room for personal well-being.
He went on to address three groups — his boss, his family, and his partner — urging them to understand his situation. “I don’t want your job or your money. I’m mentally exhausted,” he said, adding, “To my family — if I miss your calls, it’s because I’m caught up with work. And to the girl I’m doing this for — this is all I could manage.”
Dayal also offered a glimpse into his daily life, underscoring the imbalance between his professional commitments and personal space. “I pay ₹14,000 for this tiny apartment. My clothes have been lying here for a week. The coriander leaves have dried up, and the utensils are untouched for days,” he shared. He added that he had once bought décor from Banjara Market hoping to unwind after work — a hope that now feels distant.
The video has opened a wider conversation on social media about toxic work culture and the urgent need for mental health awareness in India’s corporate sector.
One user recounted a similar experience: “I remember the trauma of my first job — left home at 7:30 am, returned at midnight, lost 8 kg in six months. My manager mocked me for taking lunch breaks. No pay for overtime or weekends. I finally upskilled, joined JPMorgan, and life improved.”
Others, however, argued that personal discipline also matters. “Dayal bhai, let’s not blame the 9-to-5. The mess in your room isn’t your job’s fault — it’s about self-discipline. Wake up early, exercise, eat healthy, and make time for yourself,” one comment read.
Amid mixed opinions, many expressed empathy for Dayal. “Start saying no, bro. Unless you do, no one will listen,” one supporter wrote, while another commented, “My heart goes out to you, brother.”
