Infosys, one of India’s leading IT services giants, is reportedly rolling out a new internal policy that encourages its vast workforce of over 323,000 employees to cap their daily work at 9.15 hours. This move marks a notable shift in company culture, directly contrasting co-founder N. R. Narayana Murthy’s recent controversial call for a 70-hour workweek to boost national productivity.
Murthy’s suggestion last year sparked a widespread debate across India, with some supporting the push for intense work to accelerate economic growth, while others cautioned against the detrimental effects of burnout and stress on employees. It now seems Infosys is leaning towards the latter, signaling a stronger focus on employee well-being and a healthier work-life equilibrium.
According to reports, the company’s human resources department has implemented an automated system to monitor working hours. Employees consistently exceeding the 9.15-hour daily limit over a month will receive personalised emails detailing their logged hours. These “health reminders” also offer practical advice on taking breaks, delegating tasks and the importance of “disconnecting after hours to recharge.” This policy applies to all employees, irrespective of their role or work arrangement.
Infosys CEO advocated for long work hours
Historically, Murthy has advocated extensive work hours, even expressing opposition to India’s adoption of a five-day workweek in 1986. He has often downplayed the concept of work-life balance, arguing that young professionals must commit longer hours for India to effectively compete on the global stage. However, critics have frequently highlighted the already demanding schedules faced by tech workers, often leading to burnout, health issues, and high attrition rates within the sector.
Infosys’s new policy, introduced after the company implemented a hybrid work model in November 2023, requiring employees to be in the office for at least 10 days a month, appears to address growing concerns about an unhealthy work culture in the Indian IT industry. Company executives are reportedly aware that sustained overwork could negatively impact overall productivity, escalate insurance costs, and exaggerate employee retention challenges.
