A young professional recently ignited a significant discussion on the realities of work culture and entry-level salaries in India by quitting their very first job just three hours into the shift.
The job was work-from-home, promised minimal work pressure, but involved a 9-hour daily schedule for a measly ₹12,000 per month salary. Realising early that the job’s demands would consume all their time and stunt career growth, they chose to quit immediately.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges freshers face regarding low pay and demanding work hours, prompting calls from labour officials and the public for fairer practices in entry-level hiring.
Entry-Level Jobs and Work Culture
The Reddit user’s candid account has brought to light a common dilemma facing many young workers today, jobs that offer low remuneration but require long hours and dedication without substantial prospects for career growth.
Although the job advertised “minimum work pressure,” the actual nine-hour shift and paltry ₹12,000 monthly pay were evidently incompatible, especially for a first job where learning and progression are expected. This stark mismatch has sparked wide conversations on social media, where many freshers and early-career professionals share similar stories about being undervalued or overworked with minimal financial reward.
The Reddit post sparked a wide range of responses from users on the IndianWorkplace subreddit. Many applauded the young professional’s decision to prioritise their well-being and career growth over staying in a low-paid, demanding job. Comments like “You did good. You should not waste your precious time for such meagre amount” reflected support for taking agency early on.
However, others offered a different perspective, suggesting that gaining experience first and then seeking better opportunities might be more pragmatic. Some users emphasised that every job has challenging days and advised building resilience during early career phases. However, the user later clarified in the comment that he was looking for a part-time role and hence this did not fit his requirement.
The discourse revealed a split between valuing immediate self-care and adhering to traditional expectations of perseverance in employment, underscoring ongoing debates about work culture and fair treatment of entry-level employees in India
The situation underscores a broader problem: the disparity between low salaries and high expectations in entry-level positions, which often discourages and frustrates new entrants to the workforce.
India’s Evolving Salary Landscape for Freshers
According to recent salary trend reports in 2025, India’s overall average salaries are growing steadily, with projected increases of roughly 9.5% annually. Entry-level salaries across most professional sectors typically range from ₹3 lakh to ₹6 lakh per annum, particularly in technology, finance, and consulting industries.
However, salaries such as ₹12,000 per month, as seen in this case, remain well below the norm and mostly appear in informal or less regulated roles. Despite the country’s economic growth and a rising demand for skilled labour, there are persistent inequities in pay structures, particularly outside metropolitan areas or high-skilled sectors.
Labour experts and officials continue to urge employers to enforce fair wages and sustainable work hours to ensure that fresh graduates can develop careers without exploitation or burnout.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This incident is a critical reminder of the urgent need to re-evaluate how entry-level employees are compensated and supported. The Logical Indian stands for workplaces that uphold dignity, empathy, and fairness, where young professionals receive a living wage and reasonable work hours that allow them not just to survive but to grow and thrive.
Sustainable job conditions are essential to nurturing talent and promoting mental well-being. Creating such an ecosystem requires cooperation between companies, policymakers, and labour representatives to establish standards that protect workers’ rights and career development prospects.
Got my first job , Quit 3 hours later
byu/Minimum-Tip7839 inIndianWorkplace
