The question of why employees performing similar work abroad receive significantly higher salaries often arises among workers from India. Debates emerge over whether this is due to lower work pressure, greater freedom of expression, or because companies in India demand more from their employees than they can handle.
A recent post by an Indian employee on the social network Reddit sparked a new discussion. He presented a comparison of team working methods in India versus colleagues in the US. The employee claims that roles and positions in both countries are roughly identical, but there are significant differences in workload, salary levels, and office attendance policies. However, there is no independent confirmation of these claims.
According to the employee, his colleagues in the US typically take on no more than two projects simultaneously. If offered a third project, they directly inform their manager about their high workload and lack of time. These statements are taken into account, allowing the employee to openly discuss their limits of capability. In contrast, within the Indian team, it is considered normal for one employee to handle three, and sometimes even four, projects, with some managing up to six projects.
Thus, while an employee in the US can state their inability to take on more than two projects, in India, the practice of handling a large volume of tasks is accepted.
The claims regarding salary generated the most resonance. The employee states that despite similar roles and functions, his American colleagues earn 3 to 4 times more than he does. Furthermore, he notes that American workers can work remotely, whereas in India, office attendance is required at least three days a week, and absence requires explanation to the manager. This contrast causes him concern, as he questions why such a huge gap exists in pay and freedom if the volume of work and responsibility are roughly the same.
This post also initiated a discussion about corporate culture in India. Many workers believe that in India, people tend to accept excessive workloads due to pressure related to job security and career growth, and often cannot refuse a manager even if they feel they are working beyond their capacity. Nevertheless, it cannot be asserted that all employees in the US work less or that all American companies provide better conditions. Issues with long working hours and stress are also present in the US. Similarly, in India, there are companies that offer remote work, flexible schedules, and improved work-life balance.
After publishing the post on social media, users noted that work quality cannot be determined solely by salary level. Working hours, number of projects, vacation time, ability to work from home, manager's attitude, and time spent on personal life are equally important factors. Economic systems, taxation, cost of living, and labor markets differ between India and the US, so a direct comparison of salaries does not provide a complete picture.
Nevertheless, this post raised an important question: if employees holding similar positions in the same company can have such different working conditions and benefits, shouldn't companies reconsider their corporate culture? After all, good work is not just about high pay. The volume of work, the degree of employee freedom of expression, and the time they get for personal life alongside work are also important. This is why the comparison between Indian and US employees became a subject of widespread discussion on social media.
