'I realised…money is something, but not everything': Google employee on leaving Rs 7 lakh per month job in UAE

A Google employee, Advin Roy Netto, has shared on Instagram why he left a high-paying job in the United Arab Emirates, where he was earning Rs 7 lakh per month, to return to India, saying he realized that “money is something, but not everything.”

In a detailed post, Netto described how the move to the UAE, which took five months of visa processing, quickly lost its appeal after only three months.

He cited rigid working hours, a less mature tech ecosystem, and leadership gaps as key reasons for his decision to leave.

“In India, I’d gotten used to self-accountability and focusing on outcomes, not attendance,” he wrote, adding that in the UAE, failure to clock in at 9 a.m. could result in a “half-day loss.”

He also pointed out that while the UAE excels in infrastructure, its digital product culture still felt “young,” and conversations around design thinking often met resistance. “Money wasn’t the issue… mindset was.”

“Many top roles were based more on nationality than merit, which made it hard for genuine expertise to thrive,” Netto noted.

Despite the challenges, he called the UAE “an incredible place, full of ambition, safety, and opportunity,” praising its high food standards and quality of life. 

“That said, the UAE remains an incredible place. A land full of ambition, safety, and opportunity.. and honestly, some of the best food standards I’ve ever experienced. Even a simple cup of curd there will make you question our loyalty to FSSAI,” he added.

Netizens reaction

People were quick to share their experiences of working in the UAE, with many agreeing with Netto’s post.

“As someone who worked 6 days/week for a year in Abu Dhabi, I completely agree with this. My schedule was 7 am to 8 pm, with a 3hr lunch break, 6 days / week. I was also stuck in a contract, so I had to stay that long before I could quit. I’m so glad I did quit. Everyone around me had their own reasons to stay, but I had none. I just wanted to see it for myself. I was born in Abu Dhabi but never had the chance to go back, so when I got the opportunity..I thought..This is it. In a way I’m happy I did. I learned a lot and if I hadn’t done it, it might’ve always stayed in my mind as a what if,” a user wrote.

“I’ve been there and left for good. It was crazy work hours, and the pay completely depended on your passport. I used to work from 7:30 AM to 9 PM, six days a week. The same job I was doing, they hired someone from the UK, paid them more than double, gave them fewer departments to handle, and only five working days. After I left the UAE, I got several offers but decided I’m never going back to work there. Even the leadership depended on your passport. So I said, “Ma Salama, Habeebi” — and left for good,” another noted.

“I totally relate to the design thinking. Workjng hours are crazy as well. The delivery expectations are insane- there’s this notion that a young team should keep churning things out nonstop. Right now, money’s the need, but hopefully someday it won’t just be about that,” a third expressed.