From unlimited wellness allowances to 30 days of leave, Indian netizens react to Sweden’s employee-friendly culture
An Indian software engineer based in Sweden has taken the internet by storm with a viral Instagram video highlighting the extensive benefits offered to employees in Swedish companies — leaving many Indian viewers astonished and sparking a broader discussion on workplace culture, reported indiatoday.in.
Ashutosh Samal, a software developer from India currently living in Sweden, posted a short video outlining a list of benefits that full-time employees typically receive in Swedish workplaces.
“Employees are entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave, and they often enjoy half-days before public holidays — a policy that many Indian viewers found hard to believe,” the report quoted Ashutosh as saying.
As part of their onboarding process, new employees are provided with the latest iPhone and a laptop. Emphasizing the country’s strong focus on work-life balance, Ashutosh added that workers receive annual wellness allowances ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹40,000, which can be used for gym memberships, massages, or other personal wellness activities. Remote workers can also claim a home office setup reimbursement of ₹30,000 to ₹50,000.
In a now-viral Instagram video, Indian developer Ashutosh Samal showcases the impressive perks Swedish employees receive — from iPhones and gym allowances to stress-free paid leaves
Another popular benefit is the monthly lunch allowance, amounting to nearly ₹10,000. Employees can also access corporate car leasing options and parents are granted a generous 480 days of paid parental leave with 80% salary support. In the case of job loss, unions step in to offer financial assistance for 6–9 months.
One of the most surprising claims in the video was that employees don’t need managerial approval to take leave — it is considered a basic right in Sweden. This revelation drew both admiration and disbelief online.
The post quickly garnered thousands of views and sparked widespread debate. Some users lamented the stark differences compared to Indian corporate culture. “Leave lena haq hai but yaha manager ko manana padta hai,” one user quipped. Another added, “Andar se dukhi kar diya ye sab dekh ke.”
However, not all responses were glowing. A few commenters pointed out the challenges of adjusting to Sweden’s extreme weather, with one noting, “Everything is great, but the long periods of darkness and cold can be mentally exhausting.”
Despite the divided opinions, the video ignited a conversation on how different global work cultures shape employee satisfaction and productivity.