Techie says he sticks to strict rules at work but is labelled 'inflexible' by colleagues. Asks, should he resign or change?

A software professional recently found himself at odds with his team after he firmly established limits between his personal and professional life. His approach to work was methodical: he tracked his hours with a timer, adhered to an eight-to-nine-hour schedule, and ensured tasks were completed in a structured and documented manner. Every morning, he would raise pull requests at a fixed hour, maintain detailed notes, and circulate minutes of meetings. Instead of mingling during lunch breaks, he preferred taking an hour off for himself before returning to complete his assignments.

Despite his consistent delivery, friction began to surface. During a one-on-one discussion, his manager pointed out that colleagues perceived him as rigid and difficult to collaborate with. They felt his insistence on documentation, refusal to extend beyond assigned tasks, and reluctance to explore experimental ideas made him less approachable.

"When I was having a 1-on-1 with my manager, he brought up the fact that my colleagues think I am inflexible and difficult to work with since I insist on noting everything down and not being ready to extend and try out new stuff. I don't see a problem; for me it's just a job..." he wrote.

An example of this arose when he declined to participate in a proof-of-concept involving language models, reasoning that such work was not listed on his JIRA board and, therefore, not part of his responsibility. For him, the job was about following established design principles and delivering what was required, nothing more. This left him questioning whether he should continue with his current approach or seek new opportunities elsewhere.

Mixed Responses Online

The situation sparked considerable debate among members of the Developers India community. Some supported his disciplined style, emphasizing that sticking to one’s boundaries is valid as long as the work gets done. However, they also cautioned him to remain mindful—warning that excessive rigidity could backfire, leaving him isolated when challenges arose.

Others responded with sarcasm, mocking his strict adherence to contractual hours. They pointed out that while founders sacrifice comfort to build a vision, his insistence on fixed schedules and long lunch breaks reflected an attitude of entitlement. According to these critics, treating a company merely as a job rather than a shared mission eroded the spirit of teamwork.

The Larger Dilemma

His story underlines a broader conflict faced by many professionals: balancing personal well-being with organizational expectations. While discipline and boundaries safeguard mental health, corporate environments often reward flexibility, collaboration, and the willingness to go beyond. The tension between the two continues to divide opinion, making his dilemma one that resonates widely across workplaces today.