Infosys Counters Murthy’s 70 Hr Workweek Idea

Infosys is encouraging its employees to maintain a healthy work life balance. This approach is in contrast to its cofounder N R Narayana Murthy’s earlier suggestion that Indians need to work harder if the country is to become a global powerhouse. “If we are not in a position to work hard, then who will work hard?” he had asked, referring to the 800 million Indians living below the poverty line. Murthy’s proposal sparked a national debate, with many criticizing the idea of relentless work without time for family or personal well being.

Though Murthy made this suggestion over a year ago, Infosys has recently taken a different stance. The company is now urging employees to avoid overtime and stick to regular working hours, especially during remote work. The HR department is actively tracking the time employees spend on office work. It is also sending personalized emails to those whose logged hours exceed the standard threshold, advising them to prioritize their health and avoid overworking.

According to a report in an English daily, the HR team of Infosys, which has a workforce of 323000, sends health reminder emails to employees whose average monthly working hours go beyond the standard 9.15 hours per day, five days a week. These emails include details such as the number of remote workdays, total hours clocked, and average hours worked per day. They emphasize the importance of personal well being and long term professional effectiveness.

The HR also recommends that employees take regular breaks, raise concerns if they feel overwhelmed, and disconnect from work after office hours to help recharge mentally. This initiative began after the company switched to a hybrid work model. Infosys had asked employees to return to office starting November 20, 2023, following the pandemic. Since then, the HR team has been monitoring working hours, particularly for those working remotely.

It is understood that this health focused advice comes in response to reports of employees facing issues such as heart related ailments, irregular meals, poor sleep, and overwork. In 1986, Murthy had publicly opposed India Inc’s shift to a five day workweek and stated that he never supported the change.