An average corporate employee usually works an eight-hour day, where mornings go in preparing for the day ahead and nights are spent dreading the one to come. However, very few tend to cross this routine. And most of them who do venture into building a “world-changing product”. A US-based startup founder, Neha Suresh, took to X (formerly Twitter) and called the 100-hour work week necessary for dreams to come true. She slammed the 9-5 work “energy” and said that “80-hour weeks aren’t extreme”.

This didn’t sit well with netizens, who slammed her, saying that “Burnout is not a badge of honor, just a sign you need a nap,” with one even suggesting raising the working hours in a day from 14 to 24. But before we take you through the reactions, let us take a look at the US-based techie’s post.

’80-hour weeks aren’t extreme’

Suresh, a YC founder of April Assistant, a voice-based virtual assistant, said in her post, “If you’re not spending 14+ hours a day working on your dream, you’re ngmi [not going to make it]”. She added, “You can’t build a world-changing product on 9–5 energy,” calling out the general work timings followed by companies.

She also shared a one-minute-long time-lapse video of her working at her desk from daylight to, presumably, the night. However, the reactions weren’t kind.

‘Why just 14, make it 24’: Netizens slam US-based founder

Suresh’s post received 82 comments, one of which read, “I love the passion and dedication you bring to your dreams, Neha, though I’m not sure 14 hours a day is sustainable for everyone, and maybe world-changing products can be built on different types of energy, not just the 9-5 or 80-hour kind.”

Others disagreeing with her fiery opinion said, “Why just 14 hours, make it 24”.

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“Wow, another person who’s never had to pay bills or have a social life telling me how to live my best life,” yet another lashed out at her.

“Creativity needs space to breathe,” was another comment that brought perspective into play, since not all dreams would best suit sitting at your desk more than 14 hours a day.

‘Extreme is what you need if you want to create a unicorn’

While the startup founder’s post received a good share of negative comments, there were many who agreed with her. A user replied and said, “This is extreme. Extreme is what you need if you want to create a unicorn.” A few even praised her for clocking in longer hours.

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NativeStack AI’s founder commented, “Intense motivation. While balance matters for some, there’s real truth in going all-in and putting in the hours to build something extraordinary.” Bringing a balance to the divide, a comment read, “People have different definitions of success. For many, work is just an enabler to live their life the way they wish. You have your perspective, well and good.”

Her comments come just days after the Centre proposed a 10-hour workday in Bengaluru. However, Karnataka decided to reject this proposal to amend the Karnataka Shops and Establishment (1961). The amendment was reportedly aimed at restricting a work-week to five. However, it was rejected on the grounds of hampering well-being, fatigue, and work-life balance.