Techie refused weekend work once; regrets it even after two years. She's out of money and still jobless

A 28-year-old software engineer has shared a deeply personal account online, revealing how a single decision to reject weekend work led to an unexpected and prolonged career crisis. The woman, who previously worked in the mobile app development sector, detailed her experience in a Reddit post that has since gained attention for highlighting the harsh realities of burnout, job gaps, and employment bias in India’s tech industry.

A Decision That Changed Everything
In her post, the tech professional recalled being let go by her manager after refusing to work on weekends. She explained that the company had an unspoken expectation of extended work hours and weekend commitments. Although she had occasionally worked extra hours, she said that during a period of exhaustion and burnout, she informed her manager that she couldn’t continue at that pace. Shortly after, she was terminated from her role.

Believing she would quickly find another job, she initially took some time off. However, what she thought would be a brief pause turned into a two-year struggle.


Endless Job Applications, No Results
According to the Reddit post, she spent months applying to “thousands of jobs” across various platforms, updating her resume and portfolio multiple times, and reaching out to both professional contacts and strangers. Despite her qualifications—four years of experience in software engineering, a computer science degree from a top-tier college, and strong skills in Java, Kotlin, and Android—she said most recruiters lost interest as soon as they learned about her career gap.

Between mid-2024 and early 2025, she received occasional interview calls, but many ended abruptly or led to ghosting. The techie described one instance when an HR representative laughed at her for having a two-year employment gap, even after she explained that she had been running a small art club during that time. She described that moment as “breaking” her spirit, adding that it was her first call in months.

Facing Financial and Emotional Burnout
In her post, she wrote that she has now exhausted her savings and is struggling to make ends meet. She avoids social interactions to escape questions about her career and admits to feeling hopeless about the future. Despite her efforts to explore multiple options—ranging from freelancing and personal assistant roles to monetizing her art venture—she said that none have yielded any results.


Several Reddit users responded with empathy and advice. One user encouraged her to frame her career gap as an entrepreneurial period, while another mentioned that many developers are now using AI tools to expand their skills and stay employable. Some even offered to connect her with companies that prioritize ability over background.

The discussion sparked broader conversations about the tech work culture, especially in startups with demanding schedules and limited work-life balance. Many users noted that companies still view employment gaps negatively, regardless of the circumstances, and often dismiss experienced professionals who step away for personal reasons.

As one commenter observed, the issue reflects an industry culture that celebrates overwork but penalizes those who prioritize mental health.