Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai. IT major Infosys has started sending cautionary emails to employees working beyond 9.15 hours a day, advising them to avoid excessive work hours and maintain a healthier work-life balance. The HR department is closely tracking remote working hours and has been alerting staff whose daily or weekly average exceeds company guidelines. The move comes despite Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy previously advocating a 70-hour work week for India’s youth.

Emails triggered by excess work during remote shifts

As part of this initiative, employees working more than 9.15 hours a day or across five days a week are receiving personal emails detailing their work hours. These messages include statistics such as the number of remote days, total hours worked, and average daily hours. While acknowledging employees' dedication, Infosys has highlighted the importance of avoiding burnout and maintaining long-term productivity.

Hybrid policy behind stricter monitoring

In November 2023, Infosys implemented a hybrid work model that requires employees to be present in the office at least 10 days a month. Since then, the HR team has been monitoring remote working hours more strictly. The company believes that irregular schedules and prolonged overtime are taking a toll on employees’ physical and mental well-being, prompting this stricter stance on work-life balance.

Murthy’s remarks spark contrast with company policy

Interestingly, this advisory comes after Narayana Murthy stirred debate last year by suggesting Indian youth must work 70 hours per week to make the country globally competitive. He reasoned that with nearly 800 million people dependent on free rations, Indians must aspire higher and work harder. Murthy claimed that comparing India with top global firms showed a long way to go, and hard work was the only route.

L&T Chairman pushes even harder work culture

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan went a step further, advising employees to work 90 hours a week. In an internal company meeting, he even expressed regret at not being able to make them work on Sundays. He added sarcastically, asking employees how long they could gaze at their wives while sitting idle at home and insisted they get back to work. He also shared a conversation with a Chinese worker, who claimed China would surpass the US because Chinese employees work far longer hours.

Summary Pointers:

• Infosys warns staff working over 9.15 hours daily with alert emails.
• Company stresses the importance of health and work-life balance.
• Remote work hours are now being closely tracked post-hybrid policy.
• Employees are sent detailed stats of their working patterns.
• Narayana Murthy earlier pushed for a 70-hour work week for youth.
• L&T chief SN Subrahmanyan suggested 90-hour work weeks.
• Debate continues between productivity goals and employee well-being.