Anxiety, Sleep Loss and Bigger Paychecks: Pune Employee Shares Reality of US Shift Work
Anxiety, Sleep Loss and Bigger Paychecks: Pune Employee Shares Reality of US Shift Work
An Instagram post by a Pune-based professional has triggered a conversation about the rewards and challenges of working US shift timings from India, with many professionals sharing their own experiences.
Would you trade a good night’s sleep for a bigger pay cheque? That question is resonating with thousands of professionals after a Pune-based content creator shared the realities of working US shift hours from India.
The discussion began when Instagram user Sayak Roy posted a video about his experience working from 7:30 pm to 4:30 am, a schedule commonly followed by professionals supporting clients and teams based in the United States.
Explaining the benefits, Roy said, “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 with humane work culture (no work after office hours strictly). Exposure to international clients and improved communication. Flexible daytime hours for personal work and side quests. Don’t get Monday blues because work starts at Monday evening.”
However, he also highlighted the downsides of overnight work. Roy wrote, “Cons of Working in US Shift (7:30 pm to 4:30 am) from India: Disturbed sleep cycle and poor sleep quality, 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 and reduced physical activity due to lower energy levels during daytime.”
The post quickly gained attention, with professionals sharing their own experiences in the comments section.
One user wrote, “Been doing it for 5+ years now, completely agree with both pros and the cons, too!!”
Another commented, “This shift helped me build a superb physique. I’ve participated in men’s physique competitions twice. Night shifts are peaceful.”
Not everyone was convinced by the benefits. One user warned, “Yeah, higher salary and a major portion goes to doctors. Not everyone likes night shifts.”
Another shared a personal experience, “Did that for 4 months, ruined my health. Never going back.”
The discussion also touched on work-life balance. One commenter asked, “How do you balance your social life with night shifts? I’ve been working the UK shift remotely for the last 9 months and I’m still trying to figure out my work-life balance and social life.”
Another user offered a blunt assessment, “Nothing fancy!!! Give it a year and your body will see drastic changes. I agree with the pros, but for me, the cons outweigh them. I’d choose a day shift over a US shift any time if the opportunity exists.”
The viral discussion highlights a growing reality for many Indian professionals working with global teams. While US shifts often offer higher salaries, international exposure and daytime flexibility, many workers continue to grapple with sleep disruption, health concerns and challenges in maintaining personal relationships.
As companies increasingly operate across time zones, the debate around whether the financial rewards outweigh the lifestyle costs shows no sign of slowing down.
Disclaimer: Experiences with night shifts vary from person to person. Individuals experiencing sleep, stress or health-related concerns should seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals.
