In the wake of famed software czar Narayana Murthy's previous statement suggesting that Indian youngsters should work 70 hours a week, Infosys maintained that it values work-life balance and thus strives for a sensible 5-day, 9.15-hour work schedule for its employees.
The hint came by way of an internal communication to Infosys employees earlier in the week, reiterating that the company wants ‘sustainable productivity’ and not hours of drudgery. Reportedly, the note said: "Our expectation is simple - 9.15 hours a day, 5 days a week. Give us that, and the rest of the time is yours."
These developments are a reaction to the public outcry when Narayana Murthy espoused in a 2023 podcast that Indian youth must work a bare minimum of 70 hours per week to increase the nation's productivity.
This statement was severely condemned by employees, HR practitioners, and industry pros, but in doing so, they sparked a larger conversation about hustle culture, burnout, and the changing nature of work post-pandemic.
Yet Infosys made it known that Murthy’s remarks were his own rather than those of the company. The current management and its CEO, Salil Parekh, have been pushing for a more flexible work culture, employee well-being, and productivity commensurate with global standards.
In fact, the company has furthered its plans around hybrid work models, mental health support, and digital upskilling to make sure that an employee feels supported and empowered.
The 9.15 hours would include breaks; hence, it should not be used as a tool for micromanagement but to help delineate time between work and private lives.
According to an industry watcher, responding to the new paradigm, the new Infosys model was applauded as a mature and sensible decision.
An HR consultant from Mumbai said, "In the age of AI, one only needs output, not clocked hours. Through Infosys, a signal is being given that you can maximize production while minimizing excessive work culture."
As work culture in India continues to evolve with Gen Z entering the workforce and hybrid setups becoming the norm, Infosys’ latest reaffirmation may set a benchmark for other IT firms. The message is clear: it's not about the quantity of hours, but the quality of work and life.