Ex-Microsoft engineer quits new job in 20 days, says work was ‘too chill’
A viral post on X by software engineer Manisha Goyal has kicked off a heated discussion about work culture, hustle, and the idea of “chilling” on the job.
A viral post on X by software engineer Manisha Goyal has kicked off a heated discussion about work culture, hustle, and the idea of “chilling” on the job. Goyal took to the social media platform X to share that a new teammate, who had previously worked at Microsoft and is from Singapore, resigned from her company within just 20 days.
An employee quit his new job within 20 days, citing potential lack of growth.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
When asked why, he gave an unusual reason, citing a work culture that does not challenge him enough. The ex-Microsoft employee said that at the age of 45, he might enjoy this ‘chill’ job. Currently, however, his priority is to hustle and grow – and the job did not offer growth.
“The work is too chill. If I stay, I’ll stop growing. At 45, I’d enjoy this. But right now, I need the grind,” he revealed.
Chill job vs growth: a dilemma
Goyal’s post — in which she jokingly admitted she herself has been “chilling for the last 2 years” — has already racked up nearly a million views.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
The story struck a chord with thousands online, dividing opinion over whether one should embrace the grind or enjoy a stress-free job.
A debate on work culture
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
The story struck a chord with thousands online, dividing opinion over whether one should embrace the grind or enjoy a stress-free job.
A debate on work culture
{{/usCountry}}
Some users praised the ex-Microsoft engineer’s decision, saying staying in a no-growth role could “ruin your career.” Others argued that constant hustle comes at a cost, pointing out that burnout, health issues, and stress can shorten lifespans.
One commenter wrote: “What if he doesn’t live till 45 to later ‘enjoy the chill’? You are better chilling now.” Another added: “People who grind really hard, die early. People who chill, live till 80 or 90.”
Meanwhile, some pointed to cultural differences, with one user noting: “Singapore culture is such. They love the grind and honestly if you love your work, the grind is fun.”
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
“He did it right. If you genuinely want to grow, you must be grinding. Sitting in a company without any real work or growth opportunities is enjoyable, but it’s also ruining your career,” an X user opined.
Sanya Jain is an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times Digital. She has nearly a decade of experience in covering offbeat stories that speak to the everyday experience - from viral videos to human interest copies that spark conversation. Her interests stretch across business, pop culture, social media trends, entertainment and global affairs. Before joining Hindustan Times, Sanya spent two years with Moneycontrol and five years with NDTV. She holds an undergraduate degree in English literature from St Stephen’s College, Delhi, and a master’s in journalism from the Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai. Sanya has a sharp eye for spotting emerging trends and looking for newsworthy angles to elevate viral posts into meaningful narratives. She was the first one, for example, to cover Narayana Murthy’s remark on 70-hour work weeks that sparked a national conversation. She is equally at ease writing about business leaders as about the common man, about issues of national importance and memes that amuse social media. Sanya enjoys speaking with content creators, newsmakers and entrepreneurs to transform everyday moments into engaging, slice-of-life stories that resonate with readers. When she is not working, Sanya can be found curled up with a good book. Born and raised in Lucknow, she has spent the last several years in Delhi. She is deeply interested in animal welfare and now spends a lot of her time running after her destructive orange cat.
Discover the latest Trending News, viral videos, social media stories and unusual events from India and around the world. Stay updated with the topics everyone is talking about.
Discover the latest Trending News, viral videos, social media stories and unusual events from India and around the world. Stay updated with the topics everyone is talking about.
Home/Trending/Ex-Microsoft engineer quits new job in 20 days, says work was ‘too chill’
{{^htLoading}}
Advertisement
{{/htLoading}}
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
{{#usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe
