A LinkedIn post comparing the salaries between India and the US triggered much debate as a man rejected Rs 2 crore offer in India and chose $160K in the US. A Dubai-based AI leader, CJ Teja Sai, shared the story of the US-based friend who made this decision to choose the US offer despite the huge difference in the cost of living. But the friend said he weighed in on the situation and made a calculated decision to stay in the US despite the visa anxiety. “In the US, I log off at 5 PM. In India, I’d be expected to be available 24/7,” the man said. “Interestingly, he said he was okay with the visa pressure and uncertainty. For him, having predictable personal time mattered more,” the post added.“Then he shared a story from his uncle. His uncle works in the US. One of his friends, who was an engineering manager in India working closely with US teams, suddenly put in his resignation. When my friend’s uncle asked why he was leaving, the manager shared what finally pushed him over the edge. A US sync meeting was scheduled for 3 AM India time. It was introduced as a 15-minute call. It finally ended around 6 AM. That wasn’t a one-off. It was the expectation of always being available that made him resign,” Sai added.“That conversation made me realize something. When we compare offers across countries, we usually compare salaries and taxes.Maybe we should also compare time, boundaries, and the ability to disconnect. Compensation isn’t just what gets credited to your bank account. It’s also the life you get to live outside of work,” the post read.The post triggered a major debate with many claiming that work-life balance is a myth even in the US. And if the person works in an Indian company or under an Indian boss, he will soon realize this, many argued. Some supported his decision and said that though he would be making less money in the US, he would get better lifestyle and better career opportunities in the US.“Many times I had to extend my day. So work-life balance in the USA is similar to India,” one wrote. “All the time he saved with work life boundaries in US he spent cleaning his house, washing dishes, taking out trash, cooking and cleaning,” another wrote pointing out to the conveniences found in India.
