Employee Asks: 'Is It Time to Quit?' After Being Asked to Work Weekends and Stay 'Alert 24 Hours' An employee shared their experience on Reddit, describing a work environment where weekend shifts and constant availability are expected, sparking a debate about workplace boundaries. The user, who has over eight years of experience, explained that such demands have been normalized since joining the company a year ago. They asked, “Is it time to quit or is this a normal thing that should be ignored?” The post, shared on the r/IndianWorkplace subreddit, detailed a pattern of escalating work expectations, including regular weekend hours, late-night messages, and the need to remain “alert for 24 hours.” The employee highlighted the lack of clarity on compensation or time off for these demands, raising questions about fair labor practices. Commenters on the thread urged the poster to consider quitting, warning that such expectations often become the norm once accepted. One user wrote, “If they want 24x7 availability, they should be paying for 24x7 availability.” Others suggested documenting requests in writing, setting boundaries, or addressing the issue through HR, though many acknowledged the risks of speaking up in such environments. The discussion reflects broader concerns about unpaid overtime and mandatory weekend work in India. Earlier this month, a similar controversy emerged when a company allegedly made attendance at a 12-hour AI hackathon on a Saturday mandatory, threatening to deduct three days’ salary for non-participation. Employees and legal experts questioned whether this violated labor laws, with some calling it “forced weekend work disguised as learning.#reddit #employee #r_indianworkplace #ai_hackathon #hr
