Infosys founder Narayana Murthy’s recent statement urging young professionals to work 70 hours a week has sparked a heated debate across the industry. Murthy’s suggestion sparked conversations on social media and offline discussions, with varied opinions and perspectives coming to the forefront.
Although Murthy’s view is seen by some as a call for increased productivity, several voices express contrasting opinions on this issue. On the other hand, there are also reports about how professionals in the IT sector have to log around 40-50 hours into work every week.
Let’s take a closer look at what leading figures and experts have to say about the idea of a 70-hour work week in today’s rapidly evolving post-pandemic work landscape.
Balancing work and private life
DP Vishwakarma, author and consultant, emphasizes the importance of maintaining a work-life balance. He notes that individuals need a certain amount of time to sleep, spend time with family, take care of themselves, and move around. Vishwakarma believes that to improve productivity, companies should focus on hiring more employees rather than pushing individuals to work excessively long hours. This approach could also create more employment opportunities for the unemployed in India.
Productivity over hours
Thomas Andrews, creative media entrepreneur, artist and television host, challenges the idea that longer hours equal increased productivity. He argues that a person’s performance should be measured by their competence and efficiency within the allocated hours. Andrews advocates “smart working” and suggests that Indian companies consider paying their employees on an hourly basis, similar to practices in other countries. This way, employees could be incentivized to contribute more when needed, and equity sharing could be explored to reward their dedication.
The spiritual perspective
On another side, Sanjiv Nath, an artist and retired petroleum geologist, views Murthy’s view as positive. He believes that life is about karma and that trying harder can lead to personal growth and spiritual fulfillment. Nath suggests that increasing work hours can lead to a deeper sense of purpose and satisfaction.
Realities of the modern workplace
Prateek Sethi, founder of Trip Creative Agency, highlights the importance of professional development and gaining experience for young professionals. However, he is not in favor of the systematic requirement of a 70-hour work week. Instead, he advocates using technology and innovative solutions to improve productivity while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Work-life balance and sustainability
Amit Prasad, Founding Managing Director and CEO, SatNav Group, recognizes the competitive pressures in the IT sector, but also highlights the need for a balanced approach. Prasad emphasizes that training and knowledge enhancement should be taken seriously during working hours. He argues that work-life balance cannot be achieved if job security is threatened. Prasad supports the idea of devoting sufficient time to performing work and continuous learning.
Business Perspectives
Debshankar Banerjee, Group CHRO at Experion Developers, highlights the importance of employee well-being and work-life balance. While recognizing the demands of the modern workplace, Experion Developers aims to create a work culture that values efficiency and ambitious goals without overburdening its team.
Public opinion
According to an Inshorts poll, 84% of respondents expressed skepticism that the 70-hour workweek model would lead to higher productivity. Many have raised concerns about its impact on mental and physical health, family and personal life balance and their overall job satisfaction.
We’ve also seen some industry veterans share their views on the 70-hour work week on social media.
Devdutt Pattanaika mythologist and author tweeted: “Vegetarian billionaires tell their drivers they have to work 70 hours a week to help the nation. »
Another interesting tweet from Bhasker Majumdar, https://twitter.com/Probasibangali/status/1719040143040856450
In agreement with industry veteran Narayana Murthy Priyansh Agrawal pointed out that people can work 70 hours a week if they are self-employed, but not employed. https://twitter.com/Priyansh_31Dec/status/1720778163117257171
In conclusion, the debate over the 70-hour workweek in India has raised crucial questions about productivity, work-life balance, and the evolving nature of work in the modern era. While diverse voices speak out on this topic, it is clear that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and striking a balance between productivity and well-being remains a central challenge for both employers and employees in a global of work in India. landscape.
