Overview

• Google software engineer Anu Sharma shared on X that she spent four hours on Sunday resolving a production issue, reigniting discussions on work-life balance.
• Sharma asserted that on-call responsibilities at FAANG companies are more demanding than at startups, with greater stakes and impacts.
• Her statement, “You don’t get paid for your work-life balance,” has polarized opinions online, with some criticizing her and others defending her perspective.
• Critics accused Sharma of being ungrateful given FAANG-level compensation, while supporters highlighted the unique pressures of on-call work in big tech.
• The viral post has sparked broader discussions about industry norms, mental health, and the trade-offs of high salaries in the tech sector.