Synopsis
Capgemini's CEO Ashwin Yardi advocates for a 47.5-hour work week in India, opposing weekend emails to reduce stress, amidst ongoing debates about work hours sparked by industry leaders like S.N. Subrahmanyan.Key Takeaways
- Ashwin Yardi supports a 47.5-hour work week.
- Discourages emails to employees on weekends.
- Stresses importance of work-life balance.
- Industry leaders express varying views on work hours.
- Focus on results over hours worked.
Mumbai, Feb 25 (NationPress) The discussion regarding work hours in India has intensified following Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan's proposal for a 90-hour work week. In contrast, Capgemini CEO Ashwin Yardi presented a more moderate perspective, endorsing a 47.5-hour work week and recommending that employees refrain from checking emails during weekends.
During his speech at the 'Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum' in the city, Yardi elaborated on his view of maintaining a well-structured workweek.
“Forty-seven and a half hours. We have around nine and a half hours per day over five days,” he informed the audience.
The Capgemini leader also mentioned that his guiding principle for the last four years has been to avoid sending emails over the weekend unless the matter can truly be resolved at that time.
Although he acknowledged occasionally working during weekends, he refrains from emailing his staff to alleviate unnecessary pressure.
The discourse regarding extended work hours has garnered mixed responses from business executives. Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube expressed his opposition to the notion of working excessively long hours.
“I don’t want young professionals to work 70 hours. If I’m not doing it, how can I expect them to?” he remarked recently.
Dube highlighted the significance of work-life balance, asserting that employees should have the opportunity to progress in their careers while also enjoying personal time.
“I want individuals to maintain that perspective,” he said, emphasizing that many professionals later lament not spending more time with family and friends.
Nasscom Chairperson Sindhu Gangadharan, who leads SAP India, shared similar sentiments, noting that results should take precedence over the number of hours worked.
Marico CEO Saugata Gupta acknowledged the necessity of work-life balance, although he sometimes 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 expressed regret last month that L&T employees were not working on Sundays, stating: “If I could make you work on Sundays, I would be much happier, as I also work on Sundays.”
