Earning 30 LPA but exhausted: Delhi NCR techie exposes toxic culture behind burnout, says ‘Can’t bear anymore’
Earning 30 LPA but exhausted: Delhi NCR techie exposes toxic culture behind burnout, says ‘Can’t bear anymore’
In today’s corporate world, where hefty paychecks are often seen as the ultimate reward, the hidden cost of mental health is rarely discussed. A young backend developer from Delhi NCR, earning an enviable ₹30 lakh per annum, recently opened up about how the pressures of his high-paying job have pushed him to the edge. Despite financial stability and just over a year of experience in the industry, he admits that the toxic work environment has left him battling anxiety, recurring headaches, and emotional breakdowns.
In a Reddit post titled “My high tech job is causing problems that I can’t bear anymore”, the techie confessed, “Since the day I started, I’ve been struggling with severe anxiety. A year in, it has worsened. I now face frequent headaches, mental breakdowns, and constant burnout at a young age.”
Describing his workplace, he wrote, “The work pressure is extreme, we need to often work long on major Indian festivals due to business needs. Sick leave usually just means work from home while sick. No hybrid policy, it’s five days a week in a highly toxic environment.”
Importantly, he clarified that money was not the issue. “This post is not about salary discussion, it’s about how I want my present and future to turn out to be,” he explained, adding that despite applying through LinkedIn, he has faced little success due to the tough job market.
While the urge to resign without another offer often crosses his mind, the thought of instability holds him back. “Going from a stable, high salary to zero income is daunting, even though I have no major financial responsibilities right now. The fear of not finding another role — especially when I see people with more experience struggling — makes me hesitate,” he admitted.
The post, shared under the username @VDtheking, quickly went viral, sparking strong reactions from fellow professionals.
Internet reacts with empathy and advice
One Redditor urged caution: “Don’t quit without a plan. Try switching internally or wait till you land another role.”
Another reminded him of priorities: “Your health is more important than any salary. A break now may save you in the long run.”
A third offered a practical suggestion: “Expand your options beyond NCR, it will open more doors.”
Others spoke bluntly about the reality of India’s corporate culture. “This is the story of most techies in NCR. The toxic environment eats you alive,” one remarked, while another strongly criticized workplace expectations: “Working on festivals and while sick is unacceptable. Companies need to rethink policies.”
There was also advice to take a middle path. “Yes, this is not a good time to quit for the market. But it is possible for the OP to push through simply by not taking as much stress, giving priority to his health and maintaining work life balance and doing the bare minimum required to hold the job, at least until the market gets better. Meanwhile, OP can also continue to apply on the side. Better to have good health and slightly unsecure job than no health and subsequently no job.”
This story highlights a harsh truth of modern employment money may ease financial worries, but it cannot shield one from burnout. While corporate roles often glorify productivity, employees like this young techie remind us that without balance, even the highest salary feels like a burden.
