Hyderabad Engineer on Rs 23,000 Salary Shares Pain of Six-Day Work Week

Hyderabad Engineer Earning Rs 23,000 Shares Struggle of Six-Day Work Week: “We’re Humans, Not Machines”

Hyderabad Engineer Opens Up About Work-Life Struggle

A 25-year-old civil engineer from Hyderabad has sparked a discussion online after sharing the difficulties she faces due to long working hours, low pay and a six-day work week. The engineer, who said she earns Rs 23,000 per month, explained that her current job leaves her exhausted, with almost no time to rest, spend with family or save money for the future.

Her post has drawn attention because it reflects a wider concern among young professionals in India, especially those working in sectors where long working hours are often considered normal. The engineer said that while she wants to grow in her career, the current work schedule has made daily life mentally and physically draining.

Six-Day Work Week Leaves Her Exhausted

The Hyderabad-based civil engineer shared her experience on Reddit’s r/IndiaCareers community. According to her post, she works at a large construction company in Hyderabad and has been following a six-day work routine since joining the workforce.

She said that the constant work pressure has started affecting her mental peace. With only one weekly off, she feels that Sunday is not really a day to enjoy life but a day to recover from the stress and tiredness of the previous week.

The engineer wrote that by the time she feels slightly rested, Monday arrives again, and the same cycle continues. Her words resonated with many employees who face similar work schedules in private companies.

“We’re Humans, Not Machines,” Says Engineer

In her post, the engineer expressed frustration over the lack of personal time and the pressure of working continuously. She said she is even ready to accept a lower salary if she can find a job that offers a five-day work week and better work-life balance.

She wrote, “Sundays are mostly spent recovering from the week’s exhaustion, and before I know it, it’s Monday again. I badly want to switch the job. I’m ready to accept lesser pay but still other companies are also asking for 6 day work week.”

She further added, “We’re humans, not machines just to improve someone’s empire. When will this stop? Almost all the countries are adopting 5 days work week.”

Her statement has become the main point of discussion, as many users agreed that employees need time for rest, personal development and family life.

Low Salary Adds to Daily Pressure

Apart from long working hours, the engineer also spoke about financial pressure. She revealed that she earns Rs 23,000 per month and finds it extremely difficult to manage expenses after paying rent, sending money home and covering daily travel costs.

When a user asked her how she manages rent and savings, she replied that there is no money left for savings. She explained that around Rs 8,000 goes toward rent, Rs 10,000 is sent to her family, and the remaining Rs 5,000 is used for transport and other miscellaneous expenses.

This breakdown shows how difficult it can be for young employees to survive in a city while supporting their family and trying to build a career. For many entry-level professionals, especially in metro cities, salaries often fail to match the rising cost of living.

No Savings Despite Full-Time Job

One of the most concerning points in her post was that she is unable to save any money despite working full-time. Her monthly income is almost fully consumed by basic needs and family responsibilities.

Her situation highlights the financial challenges faced by many young workers in India. Even after completing professional degrees and joining reputed companies, some employees continue to struggle with limited income, high expenses and little financial security.

The engineer’s case also shows that a job alone does not always guarantee stability. When salary is low and working hours are long, employees may feel trapped between career growth and personal survival.

Construction Sector Under Discussion

Several users in the comments section pointed out that the construction sector is known for demanding work schedules. Some said that employees in construction, infrastructure and contractor-based roles often face long duty hours, strict deadlines and limited weekly breaks.

One user shared that some workers in contractor roles live in camps and work almost throughout the year with very few proper breaks. Others said that many companies still expect employees to work six days a week, even when the workload affects their health and personal life.

The discussion showed that the engineer’s experience is not an isolated case. Many professionals from similar sectors said they have also faced work-life imbalance, low pay and limited career flexibility.

Debate Over Five-Day Work Week

The Reddit post also restarted debate over whether India should move more strongly toward a five-day work week across more sectors. Many employees believe that two days of weekly rest can improve productivity, mental health and overall job satisfaction.

Supporters of the five-day work week argue that employees who get proper rest are more focused and efficient at work. They also say that rest days allow workers to spend time with family, manage personal tasks, learn new skills and recover from stress.

However, many industries in India still follow a six-day model, especially construction, manufacturing, retail, field operations and small-to-medium private companies. For employees in such sectors, weekends often mean only one day off, which may not be enough to recover fully.

Work-Life Balance Becomes a Growing Concern

The phrase “work-life balance” has become increasingly important among young professionals. Many employees today are not only looking for salary growth but also for better working conditions, flexibility and personal time.

The Hyderabad engineer’s post reflects this changing mindset. She clearly mentioned that she is ready to accept lesser pay if it means getting a job with more personal time. This shows that for many workers, mental health and quality of life are becoming as important as salary.

A growing number of young professionals are questioning whether long working hours are worth it if they leave no time for health, relationships and personal development.

Mental Exhaustion and Burnout

Long working hours can lead to burnout, especially when employees do not get enough rest. Burnout can include emotional exhaustion, lack of motivation, irritability, poor sleep and reduced productivity.

In the engineer’s case, she described feeling mentally exhausted because her only day off is mostly spent recovering. This means she does not get proper time to enjoy life or prepare herself for the next week.

Many employees in similar situations may continue working because they need money or fear losing their job. But over time, such pressure can affect both mental and physical health.

Social Media Users React

The post received several reactions from users who discussed the realities of long working hours in India. Some users sympathised with the engineer and said that companies need to treat employees better. Others shared their own experiences of working six days a week with limited pay.

Many users agreed that young professionals should not have to sacrifice their personal lives for low-paying jobs. Some advised her to keep looking for opportunities in companies that offer better work-life balance. Others suggested that she should try to move into planning, design, project coordination or office-based roles where the work schedule may be more stable.

The comments showed that many people relate to her struggle and feel that the current work culture needs improvement.

Low Pay for Skilled Graduates Raises Questions

The engineer’s salary has also raised questions about pay levels for skilled graduates. Civil engineering is a professional degree that requires years of study and technical training. However, many fresh graduates in the sector still start with modest salaries.

In cities like Hyderabad, rent, transport, food and other basic expenses can take up a large part of monthly income. For someone earning Rs 23,000 and supporting family members, financial pressure can become very heavy.

The discussion shows the gap between educational qualifications, job expectations and actual salary packages offered to young workers.

Why This Story Matters

This story matters because it highlights the human side of employment. Behind every job title, there is a person dealing with pressure, expenses, family duties and health concerns.

The Hyderabad engineer’s post is not just about one employee’s frustration. It reflects a larger issue faced by many workers who feel overworked and underpaid. Her words, “We’re humans, not machines,” have connected with people because they express a common feeling among employees who struggle to balance work and life.

As more workers speak openly about such experiences, companies may face growing pressure to improve work culture, offer fair pay and provide better weekly rest.

Need for Better Workplace Policies

The conversation also points toward the need for better workplace policies. Companies can support employees by offering reasonable working hours, fair salaries, proper weekly offs and mental health support.

A healthier work environment can benefit both employees and employers. Workers who feel respected and rested are likely to perform better, stay longer with the company and contribute more positively.

Employers may also need to understand that long hours do not always mean better productivity. In many cases, exhausted employees may become less efficient and more likely to leave the organisation.

Conclusion

The Hyderabad civil engineer’s post has sparked an important conversation about salary, long working hours and work-life balance in India. Earning Rs 23,000 per month while working six days a week, she said she is left with no savings and very little personal time.

Her experience has resonated with many people who believe that employees deserve better working conditions and more respect for their personal lives. The statement “We’re humans, not machines” has become a powerful reminder that workers need rest, dignity and financial stability.

As discussions around workplace culture continue to grow, stories like this show why companies must rethink demanding schedules and low pay structures. For young professionals, a job should not only provide income but also allow them to live a healthy and balanced life.