Bengaluru Woman using laptop while working: Is corporate grind pushing them to brink?

The relentless pressure of corporate life was on full display in Bengaluru when a woman was caught working on her laptop while driving. The shocking incident, which occurred on the city’s busy streets, was captured on video and shared by Bengaluru Traffic Police, leading to widespread debate on work-life balance in India’s IT sector.

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The woman was issued a stern warning for her reckless behavior, but the viral video triggered a larger discussion about the extreme expectations placed on employees. Many social media users criticized corporate leaders for their advocacy of long work hours, particularly referencing Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s call for a 70-hour workweek and L&T chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s push for a 90-hour workweek, including Sundays. 

"work from home not from car while driving" pic.twitter.com/QhTDoaw83R

— DCP Traffic North, Bengaluru (@DCPTrNorthBCP)

"work from home not from car while driving" pic.twitter.com/QhTDoaw83R

— DCP Traffic North, Bengaluru (@DCPTrNorthBCP) February 12, 2025

">February 12, 2025

Some netizens condemned the woman’s irresponsible actions, arguing that such behavior endangers lives. Others, however, sympathized with her, questioning the immense work pressure that might have led her to such extremes. Calls emerged to hold companies accountable for pushing employees beyond reasonable limits, with some suggesting penalties for corporate managers responsible for enforcing unrealistic work expectations.

The incident sheds light on the growing burnout crisis among IT professionals, where long hours, tight deadlines, and constant deliverables force employees to blur boundaries between work and personal life—even at the cost of safety. The debate continues on whether corporate leaders should rethink their approach to employee well-being.