Latest news with #AshutoshSamal
Economic Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
No fixed desks, no stress: Why an Indian techie says Sweden changed his view on work
Ashutosh Samal, an Indian software developer based in Sweden, has gone viral for a video comparing office life in Sweden and India. His Instagram post, which has crossed 8.5 million views, highlights the flexible work hours, flat organisational structure, and strong work-life balance in Swedish companies. Samal's observations struck a chord with many Indian professionals abroad, who shared similar views. The viral response has reignited conversations around corporate culture in India and the push for healthier work environments. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Early starts, early exits Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads No 'sir culture', no fixed desks 'It spoiled me for life': Expats echo the sentiment Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads An Indian software developer now based in Sweden has reignited a national conversation on workplace culture. In a video that has now reached over 8.5 million views on Instagram , Ashutosh Samal lays out a blunt comparison between daily office life in Sweden and in India.'You can tell after watching this video how different office life is in India compared to Sweden,' Samal post quickly gained traction, drawing support and reflection from working professionals across continents. Samal's clear-eyed account of Sweden's relaxed yet productive environment has offered a glimpse into what many say is a healthier way to Sweden, most employees arrive at work by 8 am. Some offices even offer free breakfast to get the day going. Samal, who regularly shares snippets of life abroad on social media, says the tone of the workday feels entirely different.'Work-life balance is a reality here, not just a buzzword,' he no pressure to stay late. In fact, many employees leave by 4 or 4.30 pm, heading home to spend time with family or unwind. During the summer months, office hours are often cut from eight to seven per caught the attention of many was Samal's description of office hierarchy—or rather, the lack of it.'Everyone is on the same level. Even our CEO sometimes sits next to me and works,' he are no assigned desks. Employees can sit wherever they like, including next to the top boss. It's a flat structure with minimal formality. Samal described the absence of the common 'sir culture' in Indian offices as are encouraged, too. A coffee, a quick game, or just a pause from the screen are all part of the rhythm of the comment section of Samal's video became a gathering space for voices who've experienced similar Kumar (@ranjan4195), who now works in Luxembourg, wrote, 'I enjoy the same work culture in Luxembourg and I feel I made a great decision to skip India's toxic corporate culture.'Sukanya (@ who worked in Finland, added, 'I worked in Helsinki. And it has spoiled me for life. I never knew work-life balance exists! 8-4 working shifts. Everyone is so respectful of each other. Scandinavia rocks!'Some added humour to the thread. Vivek (@vivvek_always_) quipped, 'Narayana Murthy would get a heart attack watching this.'Others shared a more balanced view. One user said, 'This is basic corporate culture everywhere in the world. You get free breakfast, but in some Indian corporations, we also get free lunch and snacks. Plus free movie tickets, gym, cab facilities, and corporate dinners.'Another added, 'It is somewhat similar to me right now in Noida. I think new generation founders are changing work culture here.'This isn't the first time Samal's perspective has struck a chord. He had earlier gone viral for another video listing employee benefits offered in Swedish firms. That video too reflected how Scandinavia takes a holistic view of employee well-being—something still being debated in Indian experience mirrors that of Ankur Tyagi, another Indian techie who moved to Sweden in 2021. Tyagi, who had posted on X (formerly Twitter), noted the contrast between India's 'hustle culture' and Sweden's focus on balance. 'There is an understanding that a balanced life leads to better work,' he said, calling the shift a 'whole new world' compared to his life in model is not built on flashy perks. Instead, it rests on respect for time, a sense of equality, and a belief that work should support—not consume—life. It's a sentiment that many in India are beginning to see as more than just a video may have started as a casual reel, but it has landed like a wake-up call. For many Indian professionals, it's not just about better hours or free food—it's about dignity, trust, and the right to switch off.(This article is based on a post on Instagram. has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
No fixed desks, no stress: Why an Indian techie says Sweden changed his view on work
Early starts, early exits Live Events No 'sir culture', no fixed desks 'It spoiled me for life': Expats echo the sentiment (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel An Indian software developer now based in Sweden has reignited a national conversation on workplace culture. In a video that has now reached over 8.5 million views on Instagram , Ashutosh Samal lays out a blunt comparison between daily office life in Sweden and in India.'You can tell after watching this video how different office life is in India compared to Sweden,' Samal post quickly gained traction, drawing support and reflection from working professionals across continents. Samal's clear-eyed account of Sweden's relaxed yet productive environment has offered a glimpse into what many say is a healthier way to Sweden, most employees arrive at work by 8 am. Some offices even offer free breakfast to get the day going. Samal, who regularly shares snippets of life abroad on social media, says the tone of the workday feels entirely different.'Work-life balance is a reality here, not just a buzzword,' he no pressure to stay late. In fact, many employees leave by 4 or 4.30 pm, heading home to spend time with family or unwind. During the summer months, office hours are often cut from eight to seven per caught the attention of many was Samal's description of office hierarchy—or rather, the lack of it.'Everyone is on the same level. Even our CEO sometimes sits next to me and works,' he are no assigned desks. Employees can sit wherever they like, including next to the top boss. It's a flat structure with minimal formality. Samal described the absence of the common 'sir culture' in Indian offices as are encouraged, too. A coffee, a quick game, or just a pause from the screen are all part of the rhythm of the comment section of Samal's video became a gathering space for voices who've experienced similar Kumar (@ranjan4195), who now works in Luxembourg, wrote, 'I enjoy the same work culture in Luxembourg and I feel I made a great decision to skip India's toxic corporate culture.'Sukanya (@ who worked in Finland, added, 'I worked in Helsinki. And it has spoiled me for life. I never knew work-life balance exists! 8-4 working shifts. Everyone is so respectful of each other. Scandinavia rocks!'Some added humour to the thread. Vivek (@vivvek_always_) quipped, 'Narayana Murthy would get a heart attack watching this.'Others shared a more balanced view. One user said, 'This is basic corporate culture everywhere in the world. You get free breakfast, but in some Indian corporations, we also get free lunch and snacks. Plus free movie tickets, gym, cab facilities, and corporate dinners.'Another added, 'It is somewhat similar to me right now in Noida. I think new generation founders are changing work culture here.'This isn't the first time Samal's perspective has struck a chord. He had earlier gone viral for another video listing employee benefits offered in Swedish firms. That video too reflected how Scandinavia takes a holistic view of employee well-being—something still being debated in Indian experience mirrors that of Ankur Tyagi, another Indian techie who moved to Sweden in 2021. Tyagi, who had posted on X (formerly Twitter), noted the contrast between India's 'hustle culture' and Sweden's focus on balance. 'There is an understanding that a balanced life leads to better work,' he said, calling the shift a 'whole new world' compared to his life in model is not built on flashy perks. Instead, it rests on respect for time, a sense of equality, and a belief that work should support—not consume—life. It's a sentiment that many in India are beginning to see as more than just a video may have started as a casual reel, but it has landed like a wake-up call. For many Indian professionals, it's not just about better hours or free food—it's about dignity, trust, and the right to switch off.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘No hierarchy, you don't have to wait for your manager to leave to go home': Indian techie reveals why work-life balance is not just a ‘buzzword' in Sweden
An Indian software engineer in Sweden highlighted the stark differences in work culture compared to India through an Instagram video. He emphasized Sweden's flexible schedules, flat hierarchies, and strong focus on work-life balance, where employees are encouraged to prioritize well-being and leave work early. This contrasts with the more intense, formality-driven corporate environment often found in India. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads An Indian software engineer currently living in Sweden offered an insightful look into European work culture , drawing a clear comparison to the often intense corporate atmosphere found in India. Through a simple yet impactful Instagram video that has now surpassed 8.5 million views, Ashutosh Samal laid out the key contrasts between working in Sweden and the environment he was used to back described how most employees in Sweden begin their workday around 8 in the morning, with some companies even providing complimentary breakfast to help their teams start the day smoothly. Offices typically embrace a high degree of flexibility—not just in schedules, but also in the physical work environment. There are no designated desks or private cabins. Whether it's a junior staff member or the CEO, everyone is free to sit wherever they prefer. This practice symbolizes the absence of rigid corporate Swedish offices, the concept of hierarchy is minimal. There is no excessive formality or use of titles, a marked difference from the formality-heavy 'sir' culture common in Indian workplaces. Leadership is more approachable, and collaboration is encouraged across all levels. Ashutosh mentioned that it's not unusual for the CEO to share a desk with other employees, reinforcing the egalitarian nature of the seating and structure, the culture promotes well-being and balance. Employees are not just permitted but actively encouraged to take breaks, grab coffee, or play indoor games during office hours. When the summer season rolls in, many companies reduce the typical eight-hour workday to just seven hours, allowing workers to make the most of the longer daylight late afternoon—usually around 4 or 4:30 pm—most employees are done with their work and head out to spend quality time with their loved ones or simply unwind. Ashutosh emphasized that in Sweden, work-life balance isn't just a trendy phrase; it is woven into the very fabric of their professional video resonated deeply with viewers across the globe. While some Indian users pointed out that perks like free meals, movie tickets, gym memberships, and cab services are also available in several Indian companies, others focused on the deeper cultural shift taking place. A few mentioned that workplaces in cities like Noida are slowly evolving as younger entrepreneurs reshape traditional international viewers, now working outside India, also weighed in. One person who moved to Luxembourg shared that leaving India's high-pressure corporate setup was one of their best life decisions. Another person, who had worked in Helsinki, remarked that the respectful and inclusive work environment in Scandinavia had set a standard they now expect reflection by Ashutosh offered more than just a glimpse—it highlighted a model where respect, flexibility, and well-being are prioritized over pressure and hierarchy.
NDTV
08-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Indian Techie Impressed By Sweden's Work-Life Balance: "Most Employees Leave By 4 pm..."
An Indian software developer in Sweden has gone viral on Instagram with a video sharing his observations on the stark differences in corporate culture between India and Sweden. In the video, Ashutosh Samal highlighted that work-life balance is genuinely valued in Europe, not just a buzzword. He shared that in Sweden, employees typically start work at 8 am, and some offices even offer free breakfast to kick-start the day. What's more is that Swedish workplaces have an open workplace with no assigned desks, allowing everyone, including the CEO, to sit wherever they like, removing hierarchy. "Everyone is on the same level. Even our CEO sometimes sits next to me and works," Mr Samal noted. He further mentioned that employees are encouraged to take breaks, play games, and grab coffee during work hours, promoting a relaxed atmosphere. During summer, some offices even shorten the workday from eight to seven hours. By 4 or 4:30 pm, most colleagues wrap up and head home, prioritising time with family and friends. "How different is the corporate office culture in Sweden, Europe, than India" the video was captioned. Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ashutosh Samal (@roamwithashutosh) His video resonated with many viewers. While some agreed that work-life balance is more ingrained in European cultures, others noted that India is slowly shifting towards a similar approach, with many companies prioritising employee well-being and flexibility. One user wrote, "I enjoy the same work culture in Luxembourg, and I feel I made a great decision to skip India's toxic corporate culture." Another commented, "I worked in Helsinki. And it has spoiled me for life. Everyone is so respectful of each other. Scandinavia rocks." A third said, "This is basic corporate culture everywhere in the world. You get free breakfast, but in some Indian corporations, we get free lunch and snacks too.. Plus free movie tickets, gym, cab facilities and corporate dinner." A fourth added, "Working in a small org in Bangalore, India. Same practices as u mentioned."
India Today
08-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Indian techie in Sweden says work-life balance isn't a myth but the norm. Watch video
A software developer from India now based in Sweden gave a no-fluff glimpse into how work-life looks in Europe, and how it stands in sharp contrast to India's corporate a now-viral Instagram video, Ashutosh Samal broke down the differences between Swedish and Indian workplaces. His video has garnered over 8.5 million views so far. He said employees usually clock in at 8 am in Sweden, with some offices even offering free breakfast to start the day. Workplaces are flexible. There are no assigned desks, and everyone, including the CEO, sits where they There's no strict hierarchy, and definitely no 'sir culture'. 'Everyone is on the same level. Even our CEO sometimes sits next to me and works,' he said as he described the 'flat structure' as a breath of fresh air compared to the often rigid dynamics in flexibility doesn't stop at seating. Employees are encouraged to take breaks, play games, and grab coffee during work hours. And when summer arrives, some offices reduce the working day from eight to seven 4 or 4.30 pm, most of his colleagues pack up and leave, ready to enjoy time with family and friends. 'Work-life balance is a reality here, not just a buzzword,' he said as he concluded his the video here: advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ashutosh Samal (@roamwithashutosh)His video hit home for many viewers. 'This is basic corporate culture everywhere in the world. You get free breakfast, but in some Indian corporations, we also get free lunch and snacks. Plus free movie tickets, gym, cab facilities, and corporate dinners,' said a user added, 'It is somewhat similar to me right now in Noida. I think new generation founders are changing work culture here.'One user, now working in Luxembourg, said, 'I feel I made a great decision to skip India's toxic corporate culture.'Another added, 'I worked in Helsinki. And it has spoiled me for life Everyone is so respectful of each other. Scandinavia rocks!'See the comments here:Ashutosh Samal often shares videos of his daily life in Sweden on Instagram. Earlier, Samal made headlines for listing employee benefits offered by Swedish companies to their employees. His video describing the benefits went viral.
