While many individuals find it challenging to maintain a standard 40-hour workweek, a tech CEO has proposed that instead of responding to the widespread calls for improved work-life balance and the recognition that overworking employees doesn’t yield better results, companies should instead demand even more time in the office.
Despite substantial research and data pointing in the opposite direction, Narayana Murthy, co-founder of the tech company Infosys, remains firm in his work ethic.
A tech CEO recently argued that workweeks should be 70 hours, stating that he “doesn’t believe in work/life balance.”
As reported by TechSpot, the Indian entrepreneur faced some backlash after suggesting there are benefits to working every waking hour. He had previously advocated for young people to work 70-hour weeks and reaffirmed these comments by declaring his disbelief in work/life balance.
In October 2023, Murthy stated that young people should dedicate twelve-hour days for the “next 20 years, 50 years, whatever it is,” out of respect for their nation and a sense of duty to support future generations. However, his call for 70-hour workweeks directly contradicts India’s labor laws, making it illegal in the country.
At the CNBC Global Leadership Summit in January 2024, when asked if he still stood by his 70-hour workweek stance, Murthy responded, “Absolutely. I don’t believe in work-life balance… I have not changed my view; I will take this with me to my grave,” as he told CNBC-TV18.
The tech CEO believes the workweek should extend to 6 days instead of the usual 5.
Murthy expressed discontent with employees having weekends off and suggested that companies should revert to a 6-day workweek.
“I wasn’t very happy with that. I think in this country, we have to work very hard because there’s no substitute for hard work, even if you’re the most intelligent person,” he said.
“We owe it to the less fortunate to work hard and improve their quality of life,” he added, recalling how he used to go to the office at 6:20 a.m. and leave at 8:30 p.m. — working 14 hours a day for six and a half days a week until his retirement.
Murthy seems to have overlooked the promising data from companies experimenting with a 4-day workweek, which showed that happier employees lead to higher productivity and, consequently, increased profitability.
In light of a 2023 Bankrate survey showing 89% of American workers favoring a shorter workweek, Murthy’s vision of a 24/7 work culture may face resistance, even with a pro-business cabinet taking office in January.
Forcing employees to work 70-hour weeks is both unreasonable and unsustainable, especially when considering the impact on their mental health and overall well-being.
Even with a standard 40-hour workweek, many people still struggle to find balance between their personal and professional lives. This challenge becomes even more difficult when working for a company that shows little regard for the mental state of its employees, especially when basic requests for more time off or a shorter workweek are dismissed.
Research reveals troubling statistics: One-third of Americans say their work negatively affects their mental health, and 80% report feeling stressed at work. Burnout rates have increased significantly, rising from 43% in 2022 to 62% in 2023. A recent workplace report highlighted concerning burnout levels among women executives, with over a third experiencing burnout.
Additionally, a Monster poll on Mental Health in the Workplace found that three out of four workers report negative mental health at work, with 40% rating their mental health as “poor” and 34% calling it “fair.”
Given these statistics, it’s unreasonable to suggest that companies force their employees to work even more hours, especially when so many are advocating for a reduction in the traditional 40-hour workweek and support for a 4-day workweek.
Work should not dominate every aspect of life. People have families, friends, pets, and social lives that they shouldn’t have to sacrifice just to meet the demands of an employer. The question remains: Is it worth pushing employees to work more just so companies can increase profits while jeopardizing their well-being?
