Imagine this: you’ve just been “promoted” to team lead, the badge of honour everyone dreams about—but instead of a pat on the back, your paycheck shrinks and your work hours skyrocket. That’s the reality for a Bengaluru techie who recently opened up on Reddit about the grind of being trapped in outdated coding work. His story is equal parts exhausting and painfully relatable for anyone stuck in legacy systems.
For the past six years, he’s been navigating IT in Bangalore, only to find himself chained to a legacy system that feels more like a relic than a career asset. The irony? He’s now officially a “lead,” but the title is hollow. Daily life involves 12-16-hour marathons just to keep the old code alive, all while earning less than before.
And the pressure doesn’t stop there. No work-from-home days, no time off—even during Diwali—because apparently, the “team can’t cope without me.” Support from colleagues, clients, or managers? Almost nonexistent. Unrealistic deadlines and constant firefighting are the norm, and blame seems to find him effortlessly.
Job hunting hasn’t been any easier. The tech stack that keeps his current company afloat is now a liability in the market, leaving recruiters cold and opportunities scarce. He’s stuck in a cycle of overwork, underpayment, and mounting stress, while also being the sole breadwinner for his family.
Despite the mental toll, quitting isn’t on the table. But he’s reaching out, hoping for advice, encouragement, or even just solidarity from anyone who’s made the leap from legacy chaos to a better tech life. His plea resonates: sometimes, just being heard is the first step toward change.
Internet reacts
One user shared that they’ve been in a similar situation for over six years after a Tier-1 MBA, dealing with the same frustrations. Another suggested focusing on mental sanity first: stop stressing over the current job, do only what’s necessary, delegate the rest, and start investing time in things you enjoy. Once mental clarity returns, skill up and prepare for a career move.
Someone else emphasised the need to step out of the comfort zone, noting that things won’t automatically improve. Managers often exploit the fact that employees won’t protest, so it’s important to start applying elsewhere and reconnect with former colleagues for opportunities.
Another perspective was more tactical: learn new technologies, even if it means embellishing experience slightly, while building real hands-on projects to ensure you can perform in interviews and later sustain the role. The point was made that staying too long in a role where you’re underpaid and overworked—like earning 5.8 LPA for six years in Bangalore—only invites exploitation. Once management sees you’re settled and not moving, they have no incentive to care, and opportunities will remain limited.
For the past six years, he’s been navigating IT in Bangalore, only to find himself chained to a legacy system that feels more like a relic than a career asset. The irony? He’s now officially a “lead,” but the title is hollow. Daily life involves 12-16-hour marathons just to keep the old code alive, all while earning less than before.
And the pressure doesn’t stop there. No work-from-home days, no time off—even during Diwali—because apparently, the “team can’t cope without me.” Support from colleagues, clients, or managers? Almost nonexistent. Unrealistic deadlines and constant firefighting are the norm, and blame seems to find him effortlessly.
Job hunting hasn’t been any easier. The tech stack that keeps his current company afloat is now a liability in the market, leaving recruiters cold and opportunities scarce. He’s stuck in a cycle of overwork, underpayment, and mounting stress, while also being the sole breadwinner for his family.
Despite the mental toll, quitting isn’t on the table. But he’s reaching out, hoping for advice, encouragement, or even just solidarity from anyone who’s made the leap from legacy chaos to a better tech life. His plea resonates: sometimes, just being heard is the first step toward change.
Internet reacts
One user shared that they’ve been in a similar situation for over six years after a Tier-1 MBA, dealing with the same frustrations. Another suggested focusing on mental sanity first: stop stressing over the current job, do only what’s necessary, delegate the rest, and start investing time in things you enjoy. Once mental clarity returns, skill up and prepare for a career move.
Someone else emphasised the need to step out of the comfort zone, noting that things won’t automatically improve. Managers often exploit the fact that employees won’t protest, so it’s important to start applying elsewhere and reconnect with former colleagues for opportunities.
Another perspective was more tactical: learn new technologies, even if it means embellishing experience slightly, while building real hands-on projects to ensure you can perform in interviews and later sustain the role. The point was made that staying too long in a role where you’re underpaid and overworked—like earning 5.8 LPA for six years in Bangalore—only invites exploitation. Once management sees you’re settled and not moving, they have no incentive to care, and opportunities will remain limited.
You may also like
Govt allots another 3 coal blocks for mining to successful bidders
19 pc assets of Indian mutual fund industry came from B30 locations in Sep: Report
NBA releases Rs 1.36 cr to empower grassroots level conservation of biodiversity in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh
MP: Children suffer eye injuries after playing with carbide guns, none critical, says CMHO
Four injured in explosion at steel plant in Chhattisgarh
