- Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy says 72-hour work week reflects real hard work, not office attendance
- WHO warns that working hours beyond 55 hours per week increases serious health risks
- Trials in Iceland and Japan prove shorter weeks improve production and welfare
Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has once again called for a return to longer work weeks, this time with an emphasis on schedules like the 996 model used in parts of China.
Murthy’s comments reignite a debate that began in 2024, when he said Indian employees should work 70 hours a week.
Murthy has now increased that figure to 72 hours, saying the extended schedule reflects what he sees as real hard work rather than time spent in the office with no real results.
Renewed thrust for extreme hours
Murthy has associated longer weeks with growth, national progress and innovation, even though he has been making similar arguments for decades.
“No individual, no community, no country has ever been able to achieve without hard work,” Murthy “When I say work hard, don’t go to the office and sleep there. When I say work hard, I mean hard and smart work.”
Murthy’s recent interview reiterated the long-held view that India’s five-day work week harms economic potential.
The 72-hour schedule was introduced as a requirement for companies that want rapid improvement and better performance.
However, Murthy’s comparison to China is somewhat bizarre, as the 996 system was banned in 2021 after lawmakers concluded it violated labor protections and risked long-term harm.
The World Health Organization has stated that hours exceeding 55 hours per week increase the risk of serious health problems compared to standard schedules of 35 to 40 hours.
Several other studies have evaluated shorter weeks and produced results that contradict his claims.
Trial of a four-day work week in Iceland showed greater emotional stability, improved well-being and stable or increased production, and Microsoft Japan also saw a significant increase in productivity during its own experiment.
These findings challenge the suggestion that extended hours systematically lead to improved national or firm performance.
With the proliferation of AI tools, the tech industry as a whole is showing signs of normalizing excessive hours, even as burnout becomes more visible.
However, companies that rely heavily on productivity tools don’t necessarily offset the pressure of long working hours.
Office software can help streamline daily tasks, but it doesn’t remove the health risks associated with a long schedule.
Likewise, AI tools can support automation and efficiency, but they cannot replace the need for adequate rest and sustainable work schedules.
The rush to promote AI adoption has intensified pressure on businesses, and high-profile figures such as Sergey Brin have described the 60 hours as peak productivity.
However, developers continue to experience increasing levels of burnout and mental strain.
Via ITPro
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