- Published On Oct 14, 2025 at 02:31 PM IST
A 28-year-old software engineer has shared a deeply personal account online, revealing how a single decision to reject weekend work led to an unexpected and prolonged career crisis. The woman, who previously worked in the mobile app development sector, detailed her experience in a Reddit post that has since gained attention for highlighting the harsh realities of burnout, job gaps, and employment bias in India’s tech industry.<br><br><!– PROMOSLOT_M –><div class=” article-detail-ad-slot=”” captionrendered=”1″ data-src=”https://etimg.etb2bimg.com/photo/124548421.cms” height=”442″ loading=”eager” src=”https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/images/default.jpg” width=”590″>
A Decision That Changed Everything
In her post, the tech professional recalled being let go by her manager after refusing to work on weekends. She explained that the company had an unspoken expectation of extended work hours and weekend commitments. Although she had occasionally worked extra hours, she said that during a period of exhaustion and burnout, she informed her manager that she couldn’t continue at that pace. Shortly after, she was terminated from her role.
Believing she would quickly find another job, she initially took some time off. However, what she thought would be a brief pause turned into a two-year struggle.
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Techie feels jealous after surviving massive job layoffs; wishes he had what his colleagues got instead
After a company-wide layoff, one employee remained while most of his team received generous severance packages. A Reddit post highlighted the mixed emotions faced by those left behind, including sadness, frustration, and even jealousy. The discussion explored strategies for negotiating severance, managing increased workloads, and planning next career steps, while also reflecting on the psychological challenges of witnessing colleagues depart under favorable terms.
Endless Job Applications, No Results
According to the Reddit post, she spent months applying to “thousands of jobs” across various platforms, updating her resume and portfolio multiple times, and reaching out to both professional contacts and strangers. Despite her qualifications—four years of experience in software engineering, a computer science degree from a top-tier college, and strong skills in Java, Kotlin, and Android—she said most recruiters lost interest as soon as they learned about her career gap.
Between mid-2024 and early 2025, she received occasional interview calls, but many ended abruptly or led to ghosting. The techie described one instance when an HR representative laughed at her for having a two-year employment gap, even after she explained that she had been running a small art club during that time. She described that moment as “breaking” her spirit, adding that it was her first call in months.
Facing Financial and Emotional Burnout
In her post, she wrote that she has now exhausted her savings and is struggling to make ends meet. She avoids social interactions to escape questions about her career and admits to feeling hopeless about the future. Despite her efforts to explore multiple options—ranging from freelancing and personal assistant roles to monetizing her art venture—she said that none have yielded any results.
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She was expecting promotion but instead got laid off after 19 years and childbirth. How office politics disrupts career
A Reddit user shared her experience of being laid off after 19 years at a company, despite consistent praise and a promised promotion. She described feeling sidelined in the months leading up to the layoff, with fewer projects, limited feedback, and exclusion from meetings. The situation worsened after her director, who may have felt threatened by her mentorship sessions with a VP, advanced to a senior role. Now a new mother, she is seeking employment to secure health insurance for herself and her baby.
As one commenter observed, the issue reflects an industry culture that celebrates overwork but penalizes those who prioritize mental health.