Why this young startup employee does not like 9-5 job?

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

The CEO promoted a relaxed work environment, emphasizing flexibility and extended hours, often blurring the lines between work and personal life. According to leywino, she was encouraged to immerse herself fully in her role, which included the freedom to socialize casually with colleagues and engage in informal activities during work hours.

Initial Enthusiasm and Adaptation

In her post, leywino described her initial excitement: “So, I joined this startup around 8 months ago and since it was my first job, I didn’t know what I was walking into. The CEO was friendly and said, ‘We are like a family in here.’ There were no strict 9 to 5 hours; instead, we were expected to be fully invested and work overtime. In return, we had the freedom to joke around and even engage in NSFW discussions during work hours.”

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However, after six months of adapting to this environment, leywino decided to enforce a strict 9-to-5 schedule, seeking a clearer separation between work and personal life. This change led to her feeling increasingly isolated, as her colleagues continued to embrace the flexible, informal culture. She expressed her struggle: “I played along for six months, but since two months ago, I said I would only work from 9 to 5. Now I feel like I am alone in this mess. Everyone else is still having fun and games, and I feel mentally down. Any advice?”

Social Media Reactions

The post sparked a range of responses from the Reddit community.