'I have not changed my view': Narayan Murthy responds to 70-hour workweek backlash
The co-founder of IT consulting firm Infosys has doubled down on his controversial remarks on 70-hour work weeks as he expressed scepticism about work-life balance.
Narayana Murthy, co-founder and former CEO of the India-headquartered firm, drew backlash last year when he requested India's youth work 70 hours a week.
When asked about this remark during the CNBC Global Leadership Summit, Murthy remained firm on his controversial take.
"I am sorry I have not changed my view. I will take this with me to my grave. I'm very proud of having worked very hard," he told the summit, as quoted by CNBC TV18.
Drawing from his own experience, Murthy shared that he used to come to the office at 6:20 in the morning and return at 8:30 in the evening.
"That was 14 hours and 10 minutes, and I worked six-and-a-half days till I retired and I'm very proud of it. Therefore, I am not going to take it back," he said.
'I don't believe in work-life balance'
In his remarks, the Infosys co-founder also expressed his opposition to work-life balance, which is a growing demand among Indian employees amid low levels of wellbeing in workplaces.
"I don't believe in work life balance," Murthy stated. "Frankly, I was a little bit disappointed in 1986 or something when we moved from a six-day week to a five-day week. I was not very happy with that."
Murthy further cited K.V. Kamath, Independent Director and Non-Executive Chairman of Jio Financial Services, who was also previously asked about work-life balance years ago.
"He said: 'Look, we in India, we're a poor country, we have a lot of challenges. We first have to get a life, then we can worry about work-life balance,'" Murthy recalled.
The Infosys CEO also underscored the value of hard work, stressing that it is one way that employees can show appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his cabinet ministers, and bureaucrats who are also "all working very hard."
"I think in this country we have to work very hard because there is no substitute for hard work," Murthy said. "Even if you are the most intelligent guy, you need to work hard."