Talent Management

Indian techie shares unexpected aspects of her new work environment in Italy

January 12, 2026
www.ETHRWorld.com
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  • Published On Jan 12, 2026 at 02:20 PM IST

< />An Indian technology professional’s reflection on her very first day at an Italian workplace has rapidly captured attention online, setting off a larger conversation about professional values, office etiquette, and the meaning of work–life balance across cultures.<br /><br /><!– PROMOSLOT_M –> The woman, identified as Jyoti, shared her experience through an Instagram post, where she outlined several unexpected aspects of her new work environment in Italy. What stood out immediately was how firmly personal time was respected. By a minute past six in the evening, the office had completely cleared out. She observed that contacting colleagues after working hours, whether through calls or messages, was strongly discouraged and socially frowned upon, making professional boundaries unmistakably clear.<br /><br /><!– PROMOSLOT_M –><div class=” article-detail-ad-slot=”” captionrendered=”1″ data-src=”https://etimg.etb2bimg.com/photo/126480086.cms” height=”442″ loading=”eager” src=”https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/images/default.jpg” width=”590″></img></p> </div> <p> Jyoti explained that what surprised her most was the emphasis on seeing employees as individuals rather than only as technical contributors. She described the cultural transition as startling yet deeply refreshing, leaving her with a sense that this was the kind of environment people rarely wish to leave once they experience it.</p> <p> One early moment of adjustment came when she addressed her manager using a formal honorific. Instead of accepting it, her coworkers laughed warmly and asked her to call him by his nickname. She was told that hierarchy is kept minimal and that equality is central to Italian office culture. During coffee breaks, she was advised not to bring up programming or project discussions. Instead, conversations were meant to revolve around vacations, personal interests, and everyday life. She also noted that the organisation did not obsess over exact login or logout times, trusting employees to manage their hours responsibly as long as deliverables were met.</p> <p caption=https://www.instagram.com/reels/DSvzSR6CEha/https://www.instagram.com/reels/DSvzSR6CEha/

According to Jyoti, the atmosphere within the team was encouraging rather than intimidating. Her manager and colleagues motivated her to treat mistakes as learning opportunities, offering guidance instead of criticism. On her first day, her manager even insisted on buying her coffee, reinforcing the welcoming tone. She shared that coworkers patiently helped her practice Italian, showed genuine curiosity about her life beyond work, and helped her understand that time at the office was equally about human connection and collaboration.

Her post triggered widespread discussion online, particularly among users familiar with the Indian IT ecosystem. Many contrasted her experience with environments marked by extended workdays, strict hierarchies, and frequent after-hours communication. Several commenters felt she was fortunate to land in a workplace that prioritised well-being, mutual respect, and teamwork.

However, not everyone agreed with the portrayal. Some users argued that her experience represented an exception rather than the rule in Italy. Others shared stories of tightly monitored schedules and more formal settings, suggesting that while such positive cultures exist, they are not universal across the country.>

  • Published On Jan 12, 2026 at 02:20 PM IST

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