‘If I don’t punch in at 9 am, half day loss’: Ex Google employee’s honest post on UAE’s work culture goes viral

A Google employee who was earning over INR 7 lakh per month in Abu Dhabi went viral on Instagram after he opened up about why he quit a tax-free, high-paying job in the UAE to return to India. His honest posts – on work culture, leadership gaps, and personal values ​​– have been well received by professionals across the region.

“It took five months for me to get a work visa in the UAE… and only three months for me to realize that the place was not right for me,” he wrote on Instagram. Sharing what didn’t work for him, he said, “In India, I used to be self-accountable – focus on results, not attendance. That flexibility was not there. If I don’t step in at 9 am, it will be half a day lost (sic).”

He went on to describe the country’s growing but still evolving technology scene. “The UAE excels in infrastructure and physical development, but the culture of digital products seems young,” he wrote. “The money wasn’t the issue, it was the mindset. Conversations around design thinking often met with resistance.”

The last thing he called him was what he called him Leadership bias. “Many senior positions were based more on nationality than merit, making it difficult for real expertise to flourish,” he said.

Ultimately, he decided to quit and return home. “After thinking deeply, I realized that money is one thing, but not everything. So, I walked away,” he said.

Despite this, he made it clear that he still has a soft spot for the UAE. “The UAE remains a wonderful place – a land of ambition, safety and opportunity… and, frankly, some of the best food standards I have ever seen. Even a simple cup of curd there will make you doubt our loyalty to the FSSAI,” he added.

His post resonated with hundreds of people who shared similar experiences of life in the Gulf.

One user wrote: “As someone who worked six days a week for a year in Abu Dhabi, I totally agree with that. My schedule was 7am-8pm with a 3-hour lunch break, six days a week. I was stuck in a contract, so I had to stay for a long time before I could quit. I’m so glad I did. Everyone around me had their own reasons for staying, but I didn’t have any. I just wanted to see it for myself. I learned a lot – if only I hadn’t “So, maybe I could have done that.” It always stayed in my mind as if.

Another person commented: “All the points you made are completely valid and reflect the reality of work culture in most parts of the Middle East.”

A third added: “Everyone thinks that getting a job in the UAE means great income and tax-free savings. No one mentions the hard side of life. When you reach the point of financial security, you have to call a spade a spade!”

Many also agreed on the pressure cooker work culture. “I totally relate to the design thinking part. The hours are crazy, the delivery expectations are crazy — there’s this idea that a young team should keep churning out stuff nonstop. Right now, money is the need, but hopefully one day it won’t be just that,” one user wrote.