In this day and age, most job seekers tend to say what the interviewer wants to hear during interviews. However, a 25-year-old young man from Delhi did things differently. During an interview, he directly stated that he could not work on Saturdays because he has a life outside of the office. Notably, instead of getting angry at his statement, the company founder hired him. This story quickly went viral on social media, and people view it as an example of changing work culture.
The company founder from Delhi shared his experience of this interview on LinkedIn. He recounted that when the candidate was asked if he was willing to work on Saturdays if necessary, he replied without hesitation: 'Sir, I have a life outside the office. Saturday is my personal day. On this day, I play cricket, play the guitar, and spend time with family and friends. If a very important situation arises, I will help, but I cannot come to the office every Saturday.'
The founder admitted that initially, he considered the candidate unserious about work. Usually, people agree to all terms in interviews just to get the position. But this young man openly stated his position. Although he doubted for a while, it eventually became clear to him that the guy was telling the truth, not lying, and sincerely stating his priorities. This quality impressed him the most. Ultimately, the founder decided to offer the candidate the job. He noted that demonstrating honesty during an interview is any employee's greatest strength. He hypothesized that a person who speaks openly from the beginning will prove to be reliable in the future.
He also reported that after being hired, this young man demonstrated outstanding results. He completed his work on time and performed better than many other team members. This allowed him to realize that long hours in the office are not the only sign of good work; true value lies in the quality of the work performed.
After this post went viral, various opinions emerged on social media. Many argued that the new generation is no longer willing to put their entire personal lives on hold for work. They believe that while work is important, dedicating time to family, friends, and oneself is equally necessary. Some users wrote that if an employee is given time for rest and personal life, they will work with greater enthusiasm and better. Others pointed out that in startups, extra time sometimes needs to be spent, so such conditions cannot apply universally.
In recent years, people's views on working methods have changed significantly. This is especially true for Generation Z, born after 1997, which places much greater importance on mental health, personal space, and work-life balance. This is why many companies are now trying to understand their employees' needs. This case demonstrates that not every good employee is someone who is constantly in the office. Sometimes, it is much more important to clearly define your boundaries and perform your work honestly. If both the employee and the company can understand each other's needs, it can create a more favorable atmosphere. It was thanks to this young man's sincere phrase that he got the job, and now his story is being discussed by millions of people.
