Capgemini India CEO on work hours debate: '47.5-hour per week, no emails over the weekend' !!
The ongoing debate over work hours in India has been sparked by differing opinions from industry leaders, following remarks by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan, who suggested a 90-hour workweek.In contrast, Capgemini CEO Ashwin Yardi presented a more balanced perspective at the 'Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum' on Tuesday, advocating for a 47.5-hour workweek while discouraging weekend emails to employees.
Yardi outlined his approach by stating, "Forty-seven and a half hours. We have about nine and a half hours a day and five days a week," emphasizing the importance of a structured work schedule. He further shared that for the past four years, his guiding principle has been to refrain from sending emails over the weekend unless the issue can truly be resolved at that time. While he admitted to occasionally working on weekends, Yardi emphasized that he avoids emailing his employees to reduce unnecessary stress.This debate on long work hours has garnered mixed reactions. Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube expressed his disagreement with the notion of extended work hours, saying, "I don't want youngsters to work 70 hours. If I'm not doing it, how can I expect them to?" Dube stressed the need for a work-life balance, pointing out that professionals should be able to thrive in their careers while also enjoying personal time. "I want people to have that perspective," he said, reflecting on the regret many professionals feel later in life for not spending more time with family and friends.
Similarly, Nasscom Chairperson Sindhu Gangadharan, who also leads SAP India, echoed the sentiment, stating that the quality of outcomes should take precedence over the number of hours worked. Marico CEO Saugata Gupta acknowledged the importance of work-life balance, though he noted that he occasionally sends emails as late as 11 p.m.The debate was initially sparked by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, who advocated for 70-hour workweeks. Subrahmanyan, in a previous statement, expressed regret that L&T employees weren't working on Sundays, remarking, "If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays also."
The ongoing debate over work hours in India has been sparked by differing opinions from industry leaders, following remarks by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan, who suggested a 90-hour workweek.In contrast, Capgemini CEO Ashwin Yardi presented a more balanced perspective at the 'Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum' on Tuesday, advocating for a 47.5-hour workweek while discouraging weekend emails to employees.
Yardi outlined his approach by stating, "Forty-seven and a half hours. We have about nine and a half hours a day and five days a week," emphasizing the importance of a structured work schedule. He further shared that for the past four years, his guiding principle has been to refrain from sending emails over the weekend unless the issue can truly be resolved at that time. While he admitted to occasionally working on weekends, Yardi emphasized that he avoids emailing his employees to reduce unnecessary stress.This debate on long work hours has garnered mixed reactions. Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube expressed his disagreement with the notion of extended work hours, saying, "I don't want youngsters to work 70 hours. If I'm not doing it, how can I expect them to?" Dube stressed the need for a work-life balance, pointing out that professionals should be able to thrive in their careers while also enjoying personal time. "I want people to have that perspective," he said, reflecting on the regret many professionals feel later in life for not spending more time with family and friends.
Similarly, Nasscom Chairperson Sindhu Gangadharan, who also leads SAP India, echoed the sentiment, stating that the quality of outcomes should take precedence over the number of hours worked. Marico CEO Saugata Gupta acknowledged the importance of work-life balance, though he noted that he occasionally sends emails as late as 11 p.m.The debate was initially sparked by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, who advocated for 70-hour workweeks. Subrahmanyan, in a previous statement, expressed regret that L&T employees weren't working on Sundays, remarking, "If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays also."