He speaks in Hindi: H-1B Redditor’s Indian manager vs American manager post divides Internet

A Redditor triggered a massive debate over an Indian manager versus an American manager at the workplace at a time H-1B visa holders are in a major dilemma over their future in the country under the Donald Trump administration. The Redditor said the Indian manager wants to take him into his team but he is very “nonchalant” and prefers to talk in Hindi for quicker understanding. He also uses Hindi slang in conversation and is apparently very frank but the Redditor is scared that the Indian boss will make him work a lot more. About the American manager, the Redditor said he is very polite and respects off days but since an Indian manager will understand the H-1B struggle more than the American one, the Redditor asked for suggestion on whether he should switch to the Indian manager’s team.

“Whereas in my current team, I have an american manager who is very polite, respects time and off days. (Now for context- my H1B picked last year) My friends are advising me against going under Indian bosses for they may suck the life out of you (same Indian work culture). However, on the contrary, with the current immigration climate I’m thinking the move may be good as they might push for my PERM & I-140 filing coz they have gone through the same thing in the past. This is more important to me than work life balance at this point in time,” the post said.

‘American managers better’

The suggestions that the Redditor received were varied as everyone agreed that the situation changes case to case. But it’s stereotypical to assume that the American manager would not support in the Green Card processing, one person pointed out citing their own story that the Indian manager ket the six-year H-1B window run out and it was an American manager at a different company who supported the Green Card sponsorship. “We really don’t know. I always say why mess with something if someone is supportive and good? First try with the American manager and then decide,” one suggested adding that some Indian managers can turn out to be good and supportive.