Work-Life Balance Matters for Employees: Namita Thapar

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Namita Thapar Responds to Narayana Murthy’s 70-Hour Workweek Suggestion

Mumbai: Infosys founder Narayana Murthy recently sparked nationwide discussions about India’s work culture, suggesting that young Indians should work 70 hours a week. According to Murthy, this is essential for lifting themselves out of poverty and propelling India to the top globally.

Prominent entrepreneurs like Shaadi.com CEO Anupam Mittal and Emcure Pharmaceuticals CEO Namita Thapar have weighed in on the debate, offering their perspectives. Namita Thapar, in an interview with Humans of Bombay, emphasized that expecting a regular employee to work 70 hours a week places undue pressure on them.

Different Realities for Founders and Employees

Thapar highlighted that the expectations for company founders and employees differ significantly due to their varying stakes in the business. While founders may willingly work long hours because of their substantial financial and emotional investment, applying the same standard to employees is unreasonable.

“As founders, we can work 24 hours a day if required. But expecting the same from employees, who don’t share the same financial rewards, is unfair,” she explained.

Thapar’s Personal Experience

Drawing from her own journey, Thapar recalled the rigorous work during Emcure Pharmaceuticals’ IPO, a $3 billion venture where her family owned 80% of the company. Despite working 20-hour days, she recognized that employees do not share the same stakes or financial benefits, making it impractical to impose similar work hours on them.

The Importance of Health and Balance

Thapar stressed the potential risks of extended work hours on employees’ mental and physical health. “Prolonged hours of work can lead to serious health issues,” she warned. She advocated for a balanced work schedule, essential for maintaining employees’ well-being and productivity.

The ongoing debate underscores the need to re-evaluate work culture and establish standards supporting employee health and organizational success.