An Australian podcast producer residing in India has shared her observations about the country's work culture, sparking discussions on social media. Bree Steele, who has been living in India since 2023, posted a video on Instagram detailing her experiences and insights.
Long Working Hours and High Expectations
Steele noted that corporate workers in India often face intense demands. "I've observed like my friends get work calls at like 9.30 at night. And there's no work life balance here. The expectations on like corporate workers is just so high," she said. This observation aligns with recent debates about India's work culture, including Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's controversial advocacy for a 72-hour workweek to boost economic growth.
Household Help: A Common Practice
Steele expressed initial surprise at how common it is for middle-class and wealthy families in India to employ domestic help for chores like cooking, cleaning, and laundry. "I don't cook or clean in India, like chores, I don't know them," she admitted. "Because most middle class to wealthy households in India have house help. Most people have someone who does their cleaning, maybe they're washing, they're cooking, whatever you need, you can get that help."
She contrasted this with Australia, where people typically manage both jobs and household responsibilities independently. "And my friend was like, well, Bri, you know, it's just not feasible. We can't do all of our own cooking and cleaning and everything. And I was like, that's what we do in the West. We do everything ourselves with full time jobs," she recalled.
Change in Perspective
After spending more time in India, Steele's view evolved. She observed the heavy work pressures faced by many corporate employees, leaving little time for daily chores. "You don't have time to do your own cooking and cleaning. And for better or for worse, labor is cheap in India. So it makes sense that everyone has their own house help," she concluded.
Steele also acknowledged that she has become accustomed to the arrangement. "And I have to say, I'm ashamed at how much I'm enjoying it. And I'm ashamed at how easy it is to get out of the habit of doing your own cleaning," she added.
Broader Context
Steele's comments come amid ongoing discussions about work-life balance in India. Narayana Murthy's suggestion of a 72-hour workweek drew criticism online, with many arguing it could harm employee well-being. Murthy referenced China's "996" culture (working 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week) as a model for accelerating growth. Steele's observations highlight the practical implications of such demanding work schedules, where household help becomes a necessity rather than a luxury.
