Rs 34 LPA with layoff risks or Rs 25 LPA with chill vibes? Techie caught between two job offers

A tech professional with just under three years of experience is facing a career-defining dilemma: choosing between two very different job offers. One promises a hefty ₹34 lakh annual package with engaging work but comes with a toxic culture, long hours, and looming layoff fears. The other offers a modest ₹25 lakh salary, a relaxed environment, and minimal daily workload, but the work is less stimulating. This classic tug-of-war between money, growth, and work-life balance has sparked debate online about what truly matters in a job.

The techie currently earns ₹20 lakh in a fixed CTC as an SDE 1. Offer A, a step up to SDE 2, boasts genuinely interesting projects, but the work environment is riddled with micromanagement and high pressure. There’s also the threat of early-year layoffs, reminiscent of Amazon’s “10% churn,” and occasional 10-hour days including weekends.

Offer B, in contrast, keeps the designation at SDE 1 but promises a calm, low-stress environment. The workload averages just five hours a day, leaving ample free time and mental space, though the projects may not push learning or growth as much. Now, the techie is weighing a higher salary against career satisfaction and mental health. The discussion online has raised questions familiar to many professionals: is chasing money worth risking burnout, or should peace of mind and a balanced lifestyle take priority?

Internet reacts

Several users shared their thoughts on the techie’s dilemma. One felt that choosing the second option was the better move, emphasising that money is meaningless without good health. Another suggested that if the techie has a strong engineering inclination and can handle high-pressure environments, the first option might be worth it, but for someone who enjoys activities like the gym, fitness, movies, or spending time outdoors, the second option would be more suitable. They also cautioned that a toxic work culture, despite the higher pay, can quickly drain passion and motivation, sharing that they had experienced this themselves.

Another user advised prioritising health over money and recommended taking the second option while pursuing learning opportunities through open-source contributions if personal growth was a concern. One perspective favored the first option, suggesting that higher pay now could be leveraged to switch to a better work environment later while securing a salary hike. Yet another user weighed in on age and life stage, noting that with around two years of experience, the techie is likely in their early to mid-twenties and, unless planning to take on major personal responsibilities like marriage soon, it makes sense to prioritize the higher-paying option now, leaving lower-pressure roles for later in life while focusing on earning and saving money.