Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy Advocates for 70-Hour Work Week, Sparks Debate Among Indian Business Leaders
Murthy's Controversial Statement Elicits Varied Reactions, Points to Broader Discussions on Work-Life Balance and Women's Role in the Workforce
- Infosys founder Narayana Murthy sparked a debate among Indian business leaders after advocating for a 70-hour work week. He believes increased work hours could improve productivity and contribute to national progress, pointing to the post-war rebuilding efforts of Germany and Japan as examples.
- Following Murthy's statement, reactions from Indian business leaders varied. For instance, Bhavish Aggarwal, founder of Indian ridesharing company Ola, expressed support for long work weeks, while Radhika Gupta, CEO of Edelweiss, highlighted that many Indian women already exceed the proposed 70-hour work week between their professional and domestic roles.
- Marico Group Chairman Harsh Mariwala, while acknowledging hard work's importance, opposed Murthy's stance by emphasizing the quality and passion brought to work hours rather than the quantity. The ultimate objective, he suggests, should be to make work rewarding and invigorating, leading to a seamless integration of work-life balance.
- Critics of the 70-hour work week argue that it could lead to burnout and stifle creativity. Some believe the proposal could also exacerbate gender inequalities in the workplace, as women, who often bear the brunt of household responsibilities, could be further burdened.
- Amid this debate, some point to '996' work culture - a schedule of 9am to 9pm, 6 days a week promoted by Alibaba's Jack Ma - which sparked a resistance movement in China against long work hours. Similarly, younger workers in the West are increasingly rejecting 'hustle culture', suggesting a global trend towards reevaluating work-life balance.
Fortune 
Business Insider 
