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Have to justify for taking even a one-day leave: Banker woman who returned to India regrets leaving jobs in London, Singapore

November 25, 2025
www.ETHRWorld.com
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  • Published On Nov 26, 2025 at 01:42 AM IST

< />A young professional who returned to India after years abroad now finds herself deeply regretting that choice. In a post on the <em>Indian Workplace</em> subreddit, the 26-year-old explained that although she spent most of her childhood studying in Singapore, India had always held a special place in her heart. She enjoyed visiting so much that she pursued her undergraduate degree here. After completing her master’s in London, she secured a job there and genuinely enjoyed her role. However, due to reasons unrelated to work—reasons she now views as unwise—she resigned. She considers that decision her earliest misstep, especially because living in London had been a lifelong dream.<br /><br /><!– PROMOSLOT_M –><div class=” article-detail-ad-slot=”” captionrendered=”1″ data-src=”https://etimg.etb2bimg.com/photo/125573833.cms” height=”442″ loading=”eager” src=”https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/images/default.jpg” width=”590″></img></p> </div> <p>She then shifted back to Singapore and joined an investment bank, only to have the entire team dissolved within half a year. Since the organisation was outsourcing responsibilities to India and she had built strong bonds with the colleagues she was coaching, they suggested she relocate. Although the salary was noticeably lower, the idea of being closer to home felt reassuring, so she agreed.</p> <p>Three months into her new life in India, the illusion of comfort has shattered. She described how the hierarchical behaviour of supervisors feels suffocating, the internal politics leave her drained, and the overall work environment feels drastically different from what she experienced in the UK. She misses the transparent culture, the predictable structure, and the professional respect she once took for granted. Here, even asking for a single day of leave requires justification, something she never faced abroad.</p> <p>This has left her repeatedly questioning whether she should have stayed in London or even remained in Singapore. She is unsure if her struggles are simply part of adapting or signs that she made a major error in judgment. She asked the online community whether she should begin applying again in the UK and Europe, admitting that she mainly needed a space to vent.</p> <p>Fellow Reddit users responded with strong opinions. Many urged her to pursue opportunities in the UK or the EU, warning that she might continue feeling unhappy in her current situation unless she changes her environment or joins the Indian division of a European company. Others remarked that when emotions conflict with rational decisions, it is often wiser to choose the practical route. Several encouraged her to return abroad if she has the chance, noting that enduring India’s work culture can feel endlessly exhausting for those unaccustomed to it.</p> <div> <div> <ul> <li><a href=ET Online

  • Published On Nov 26, 2025 at 01:42 AM IST

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