A newly hired AI developer at a multinational company has found himself in an unusual workplace situation. Despite joining the company and repeatedly telling his manager that he is ready to work, he says he is still waiting for his first meaningful assignment.
The situation was shared on Reddit and quickly sparked a discussion among professionals about whether new employees should wait for their managers to assign work or take the initiative themselves.
New AI Developer Is Still Waiting For Work
According to the developer’s post, he recently joined an MNC as an AI developer. However, even after joining the company, he had not yet received any major project or assignment.
He said he had already spoken to his manager during a one-on-one meeting. The manager reportedly asked him to wait until suitable work became available.
The developer also said he had shared his resume and explained his technical background to his manager. Despite this, he continued attending regular team meetings without getting an actual project to work on.
He Says He Kept Asking For Work
The developer said he did not simply sit back and wait.
According to his post, he repeatedly contacted his manager and made it clear that he was available to contribute.
He also continued attending team update calls and used his free time to revise his existing skills and learn new technologies.
However, he said that despite his repeated efforts, no meaningful assignment had been given to him.
Reddit Users Tell Him Not To Wait
The developer eventually asked Reddit users whether he should approach other team members and find out what projects were currently underway.
Many users advised him to be more proactive instead of waiting for instructions.
One Reddit user gave him a blunt warning:
“Never wait just go ask… Also study in your free time.”
Another commenter was even more direct, saying employees should actively approach managers for work because waiting could create problems later.
The comment that attracted attention said:
“Always go find managers ask them for work. Never wait. If you wait you get laid off.”
Developer Says He Is Already Taking Initiative
The developer explained that he had already tried several times to get work.
He said he had contacted his manager multiple times and repeatedly informed him that he was available.
At the same time, he said he was using his free time productively by revising what he already knew and learning new skills.
This suggests that the developer’s concern was not simply about avoiding work. He appeared worried about not getting enough practical experience in his new role.
Other Professionals Share Similar Experiences
The Reddit discussion also attracted people who claimed they had faced similar situations at their workplaces.
One commenter said they had spent several months at a company receiving only minor assignments. According to the commenter, they were encouraged to use the available time for studying instead of working on substantial projects.
The responses showed that joining a large company does not always mean immediately getting a major project.
Sometimes, new employees can spend weeks or even months waiting for project allocation, depending on business requirements, team structure and workload.
Some Users Called It A “Free Salary”
Not everyone viewed the situation negatively.
Some Reddit users jokingly suggested that receiving a salary without having much work sounded like a great deal.
One commenter asked:
“So free salary with no work?”
But the developer gave a realistic response:
“It’s good until it isn’t.”
That line summed up his concern. While having plenty of free time may initially seem comfortable, a long period without meaningful work could potentially affect an employee’s learning, experience and visibility within an organisation.
Why New Employees Should Stay Proactive
The discussion highlights an important workplace lesson, especially for people joining large companies.
Waiting for an assignment may be necessary at times, but employees can also use the downtime to understand their team’s projects, connect with colleagues, improve their technical skills and identify areas where they can contribute.
For an AI developer, this could include studying new AI tools, understanding the company’s technology stack, reviewing internal documentation where permitted, or building relevant skills while waiting for project allocation.
Conclusion
The AI developer’s experience has sparked an interesting debate about workplace initiative.
While his manager has reportedly asked him to wait for suitable work, Reddit users have encouraged him to keep communicating, approach other team members and use his free time to strengthen his skills.
His situation also highlights a reality of corporate jobs: getting hired is only the beginning. Building visibility, skills and meaningful contributions can be equally important once you enter the organisation.
FAQ
Why did the AI developer have no work?
According to his Reddit post, his manager asked him to wait until suitable work became available.
Did he ask his manager for work?
Yes. He said he had spoken to his manager and repeatedly reminded him that he was available.
What did Reddit users advise?
Many users advised him to be proactive, approach managers and colleagues, and continue learning during his free time.
Was the developer doing nothing during the downtime?
No. He said he was revising his existing knowledge and learning new skills while waiting for an assignment.