A social media post by a Flipkart employee from Bengaluru has sparked widespread recognition of an unspoken year-end ritual in Indian corporate culture: the informal winter break. Simrann M Bhambani, an assistant brand manager at the e-commerce giant, captured a shared experience of professionals across the country, highlighting how the final weeks of December often see a distinct slowdown, despite no official holiday being declared.
The Airport Revelation That Went Viral
In a video recorded at the Bengaluru airport as she travelled home for the holidays, Simrann M Bhambani shed light on this subtle shift in work culture. She pointed out that at Flipkart, and by extension many Indian offices, a low-key winter break unofficially begins after December 20th. During this period, employees increasingly opt for work-from-home arrangements or start utilising their remaining annual leaves, leading to quieter offices and more flexible schedules.
"I'm at the Bengaluru airport because I'm going home. And the nice thing about Flipkart is that during winters, we kind of have a low-key winter break, where people start working from home or using their annual leaves after the 20th," Bhambani explained in her now-viral Instagram clip.
Work Continues, But The Pace Changes
Bhambani was careful to clarify that this period does not equate to work coming to a complete standstill. She emphasised that employees remain connected and productive, but with significantly greater flexibility. The time between Christmas and New Year is typically marked by reduced in-office attendance, fewer physical meetings, and a general easing of rigid schedules. This unspoken understanding allows professionals to balance year-end deliverables with travel plans and precious family time.
"It feels like I'm a kid again, heading home for winter break," she said, comparing the experience to childhood school holidays. A practical reason for her early travel was also cited: to avoid the steep rise in flight ticket prices closer to the festive dates. The video concluded on a light-hearted note, with Bhambani saying she would see her colleagues "next year in office," nodding to the return to regular routines post-holidays.
Online Echo: A Widespread Corporate Reality
The post resonated deeply with the online professional community, confirming that this phenomenon is far from unique to Flipkart. Comments poured in from users who identified with the experience, calling it a common culture in many companies globally during the festive season. Reactions ranged from "Festive times are meant to be with loved ones! Njoy! and, Work!" to others noting the widespread practice of enjoying flexible work from home during this period.
This collective response underscores a broader reality in the Indian work landscape. December brings a predictable, quieter phase where the hustle slows down, granting employees a brief but cherished throwback to the relaxed pace of a school holiday, all while staying professionally engaged. Bhambani's simple airport video successfully put a finger on this pervasive, yet rarely formalised, aspect of year-end corporate India.
