In India, work stress is often associated with long hours and tight deadlines. However, the pressure is much more intense for working mothers, especially for newborns. A recent video shared online by a Gurugram man highlighted the lack of empathy and support for new mothers in many workplaces.
Husband emphasizes night work pressure
The video shows the man’s wife, a new mother, working on her laptop at 1.30am. She notes the moment he questioned the demands her employer was making on her despite her recent transition into motherhood.
As she opens the video, she says, “It’s 1:30 at night and she’s still working. Her manager has literally made her life hell.”
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She then questions the expectations of a woman who has just become a mother, saying, “What do you really expect from a new mother to take care of her child and also work 16 hours a day for you?)
‘She cleared India’s toughest exam
The man also talks about his wife’s professional background, pointing out that she is a chartered accountant. He highlights her accomplishments to underscore the emotional toll the situation has taken on her.
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“She passed India’s toughest test and today she doubts her own worth. Imagine someone who can balance complex audit reports feeling like she can’t even juggle a career and a child,” he says.
A message to managers and future leaders
As the video continues, the man addresses managers directly and challenges them to reflect on their leadership approach.
“To all the people who have become managers or those who will manage, please listen,” she says, adding: “Motherhood is not a feat, it’s a masterclass in resilience and multitasking.”
He also criticizes the idea of a so-called global work culture, stating, “Agar aapka global culture ek maa ko accommodate nahi kar sakta toh aapka cluture global nahi sirf aur sirf toxic hai (If your so-called global work culture cannot accommodate a mother, then it is not global at all, it is simply toxic.)”
“Don’t let a manager define your market value”
The video ends with a personal message to his wife and other working mothers.
“You are not behind, you are ahead. Soch badalne ki zrurat unhe hai, tumhe nahi (They need to change their mindset, not you). Don’t let a manager define your market value.”
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In the caption, the man adds: “Corporate toxicity is true. This is exactly when she was dealing with postpartum.”
Video goes viral, users share personal stories
The video crossed a million views and generated a strong response online, with many users sharing similar experiences in the comments section.
One user wrote: “So many of us can relate! We experienced the same thing after starting work after maternity leave.”
Another commented: “I left my last job because I was deeply ashamed and accused of being non-aggressive just as I was quietly becoming a pro at managing motherhood and work. At the end of the year I was on their top performers. Theirs to lose – I left for a much higher package and much more respect. The corporate setting fails all mothers and motherhood.”
A third user commented: “New mom or not, pregnant or otherwise, working at 1am is absolute burnout!”
One person criticized the management culture and said: “Most Indian IT/Finance managers are absolutely subordinate to their own bosses and clients and have no power to say NO to absurd demands from clients with tight deadlines. They become managers without any formal training and their mindset is only to burden their teams with more and more ‘high priority work’. Sad state of affairs that will not change for your health to change at your own bet!”
Another user added: “Hopefully the new generation of managers will change this trend. Sad to see.”
