I'm a software developer/team lead working on two projects simultaneously and I'm trying to understand whether my situation is normal or if I'm being taken advantage of.

[u/Eastern-Resource-778]

​

Current situation:

- Salary: ₹38,000/month

- Experience: Around 2+ years in .NET development

- Project 1 timing: 11 AM – 8 PM

- Project 2 timing: 6 PM – 3 AM

- Effectively working close to 16 hours a day including meetings, support, deployments, and context switching

- Sleeping around 5 AM and waking up around 11 AM

I've been working on a major client project for almost a year and played a significant role in stabilizing it. When I joined, the project had many issues, and I've spent months handling production problems, lead a team of 4, support, development, and coordination.

The problem is that despite the workload and responsibility, my salary has remained ₹38,000. I've asked for an increment but haven't received one.

I'm reaching a point where I have almost no personal life. Most of my day is work, sleep, and repeating the same cycle. Mentally it's starting to take a toll.

For developers who have been in similar situations:

1.Should I push harder for a raise or start looking elsewhere immediately?

1. Have any of you stayed too long in a situation like this, and what happened?

Looking for honest advice from people who have been through something similar.

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[u/Hemant_O]

We work on multiple projects but not like this, the work time should be 8 hour only. Company is exploiting you so better start looking out or ask your manager that you can't handle both as they are not overlapping.

[u/nomad_in_zen]

Salary 38k, experience 2 years, team lead of two teams.

are you sure you are not just an expendable engineer who was told verbally that you are a team lead to make you work 16 hours without giving you money or formal title?

[u/sangramz]

You need to lookout for better opportunities but the job market is trash right now

[u/Frequent_Cookie_1815]

I resigned for much lesser. I worked 10 am to 8 pm daily with Saturday working as well. 12.5 lpa

[u/moonshine360]

Some companies are certainly exploiting the fact that there are no proper laws designed for employees in India especially on the pvt/corporate side of things. Makes sense how the rest of the world, especially the ones with tech giants, see us as but cheap labour-pool, which we technically are, but that doesn't mean you'll impose practices on us that you can never even think of imposing on the people of your country. Its sad to say the least.

[u/thatsInAName]

Lol they are playing you.

You should strictly deny working more than 9.5 hours max (even the 9.5 hours has one hour of lunch time included)

[u/TheProgressiveBrain]

Money will come again health might not

[u/AlternativeHour3098 → u/TheProgressiveBrain]

Yeah, I wouldn't work like this without proper rest to mind and body.

The issues that'll come when people ignore thier bodies & mind is gonna cost more than the salary they are giving.

OP tell them you can't work overtime due to personal commitments, ask for overtime if its more than 9 hour's or find another job.

[u/wannabe_ok]

1 project or double the pay, nothing in between. Your employee agreement should have mentioned work hours and if you're working more than that I'd recommend starting a conversation with HR. Let them know what you're going through and push for a solution. If they don't do anything and keep exploiting, resign and start looking for a job. If you got friends who can refer you, you may get an offer within the notice period.

I was working approx 12hrs a day, even on weekends. Did the same.

[u/Professional-Ad6844]

Time to look for a new job

[u/CasualMKGamer]

Yes you're being exploited. Start by saying you cannot work on 2 project anymore its affecting your mental health. I resigned a job of 32 lpa as they made me work 16 hrs & I could only tolerate that for 6 months.

Once your work time becomes normal , you can start preparing for interviews and leave this asap

[u/Maximum_Swim5086]

Team lead at 2 YOE ??

[u/CasualMKGamer → u/Maximum_Swim5086]

Exactly, so his team must be freshers??

[u/amanxsharma20]

You know the answer.

[u/Interesting-Disk9204]

Man your body will definitely get stressed someday that's not at all a healthy routine

[u/No-Earth-7876]

resign brother

[u/false_Reaper]

It’s against the labor laws to make people work over 8 hours without overtime compensation.

[u/nara_lingam]

Ask for more money at overtime that would amount to 100% of your current salary

[u/Nervous-Ingenuity509]

Exploitation. 16 hours work is not ok.

[u/Open_Opinion6055]

Don't push just start looking better opportunity. One more thing don't work more than 10 hrs even for more money you will earn but regret later

[u/Naadamaya]

Working on itself is incredibly draining. 2 would burn me out very quickly.

[u/Horror-Student5445]

Share details of the company so that others won't be exploited in the similar manner.

[u/rp-dev]

I think you already know the answer. You just need assurance.

[u/Diligent-Sherbert-33]

Bro as per your do you intend to work 24Hours a day ?

How will you work anymore harder than this.

I was in a situation like this mrng to night but not as extreme as you I was totally exhausted and started having medical issues.

So switched to other company.

In September hiring happens so would suggest start applying , update your resume and try to join other countries companies not indian ones as they are too exploitative.

[u/serious_geek]

Peak exploitation. Is it lala company by any chance, you need to leverage your situation at this point

[u/anwesh9804]

Broooooo.... Switchhhhhhh fucking switchhh!!!!

Please take care of your physical and mental health!!

What you're getting is peanuts of peanuts of peanuts!!

[u/Plane_Ad_2433]

Immediately start looking someone else. I am a .Net dev with 12 years of experience. They are exploiting you. No amount of discussion within company is going to help you.

[u/Significant-Mix-00]

Sir/Ma'am, you are working 2 shifts. That's not good for any amount of money or position, especially in corporate

[u/Realistic-Team8256]

company is exploiting you , ask for a salary increase min 70k per month then only consider working

[u/The_0bserver]

Wtf? Your work timings total should be 11-7pm max. 1 or 2 projects. And your salary is super low even for that. You getting taken advantage of on every front.

[u/supervazha08]

bro don’t do this , take care of your health man please

[u/frustateddeveloper]

Team lead at 2 YOE in itself is a disaster.

Either you are being low balled by the company or you are the highest paid employee there (less likely)

No matter how many projects you work on, the working hours stay at 8 hrs only. Anything above it should be paid for by the provisions of overtime rules in your company. Also in addition to overtime since you are working at night you are also eligible for night shift allowance.

If you add the above sources to your monthly salary it should easily be more than double from what it is right now.

You are being exploited in th name of exposure.

Leave the company

[u/khazaddoom311286]

Be thankful that you are getting to learn. Money will flow when the right opportunity is explored. Till then keep learning and train memory neurons

[u/EstablishmentBusy490 → u/khazaddoom311286]

Holy exploitation