In the midst of a heated debate over the feasibility and ethics of a 90-hour work week in corporate India, BharatPe CEO Nalin Negi has voiced his opinion, emphasizing that work quality matters more than the number of hours clocked in.
His comments come as a response to remarks by L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, who expressed regret over not being able to make staff work on Sundays, sparking a firestorm of discussion on work-life balance.
BharatPe CEO’s Perspective and Company Culture
Nalin told PTI in an interview that a 90-hour work week is an unsustainable expectation.
He stated, “Ninety hours is quite a number of hours to put in, and becomes very difficult.”
He added, “So I would say (it is about) quality… quality matters.”
Nalin emphasized that the quality of work should measure productivity rather than the sheer number of hours spent at a desk.
As a relatively young company, BharatPe, founded six years ago, aims to foster a work culture that is flexible and centered on the employee.
Nalin highlighted that young organizations can shape career trajectories in a different way compared to larger, more rigid companies.
He said, “We are six years old, and I would definitely like BharatPe to be known as an employee-friendly company, a company that offers careers to people, not jobs.”
Work-Life Balance
Nalin emphasized the importance of work-life balance and creating a comfortable and enabling setting where employees can put in their best.
He mentioned that a happy employee is more likely to contribute effectively without the pressure of excessive work hours.
“A happy employee will give you a lot… someone who is involved and enjoying his or her job, if they have something (urgent), they will do it. You don’t even have to follow it up,” he added.
The debate around long work hours has seen contributions from various public figures across sectors.
RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka expressed his reservation about the concept, stating, “Working hard and smart is what I believe in, but turning life into a perpetual office shift? That’s a recipe for burnout, not success.”
Marico Ltd Chairman Harsh Mariwala echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that success comes from the quality and passion one brings to their work, not the hours clocked in.
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