An Indian woman working in New Zealand has sparked conversations online after sharing how the country's workplace culture continues to surprise her, as reported by NDTV.
From being appreciated for completing everyday tasks to being encouraged to leave work on time, her experience highlights the striking differences she has noticed between professional life in New Zealand and India.
According to NDTV, Yamika Gandhi, an Indian professional based in New Zealand, shared a video on Instagram from her office at around 4 pm on a Friday. She explained that the office was nearly empty because many of her colleagues usually choose to work from home on Fridays.
In the video, Gandhi recalled completing an important task when one of her colleagues sent her a message thanking her for the work. According to NDTV, she admitted that receiving such appreciation still catches her by surprise because she believes she is simply doing the job she is employed to do.
Gandhi said that she was supposed to do the work because she was paid for it, yet every time she did something even mildly good, people noticed it, thanked her, and appreciated her for it.
According to NDTV, Gandhi described this ongoing experience as something that still feels unusual despite having worked in New Zealand for some time.
She added that this experience still feels like a "culture shock" for her.
Beyond appreciation, Gandhi also highlighted another aspect of New Zealand's workplace culture that stood out to her. According to NDTV, she said her colleagues regularly remind her not to spend unnecessary time at work after office hours.
She said, "My colleagues often nudge me by saying, 'Don't stay too late', 'Go home soon'."
Gandhi further explained that when she first joined the company, her manager made it clear that employees were not expected to work beyond the standard 40-hour workweek. According to NDTV, she added that whenever deadlines required extra working hours, employees were encouraged to balance that effort by taking time off on another day.
Reflecting on her professional journey, Gandhi compared the work culture she experienced in India with what she now sees in New Zealand. According to NDTV, she believes employees in India are often expected to continue working beyond official office hours and, in many cases, even during weekends.
Gandhi said, "Hard work is often measured in the quantity of hours rather than the quality."
According to NDTV, she believes the approach in New Zealand is noticeably different. Employees are encouraged to remain productive and focused during their scheduled working hours, while also maintaining a healthy balance by dedicating the rest of their day to family, hobbies, and personal interests.
Sharing her admiration for this approach, Gandhi concluded by saying, "I just love the work culture here so much."
Her video has resonated with many social media users, prompting discussions about workplace expectations, employee well-being, and the growing importance of work-life balance. According to NDTV, many viewers related to her observations, while others praised New Zealand's emphasis on respecting employees' personal time and recognising their contributions.
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