- Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, says a 72-hour work week is a reflection of hard work and being away from the office.
- The WHO warns that working more than 55 hours a week poses serious health risks
- Experiments in Iceland and Japan show that shorter weeks increase performance and well-being
Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has again called for a return to longer work weeks, this time focusing on schedules such as the 996 model used in some parts of China.
Murthy’s comments revive a debate that started in 2024, when he said Indian workers should work 70 hours a week.
Murthy has now increased that number to 72 hours, saying the extended schedule reflects what he considers real hard work, rather than time in the office with no real results.
Renewed desire for extreme hours
Murthy associated longer weeks with growth, national progress and innovation, although he has been making similar arguments for decades.
“No individual, no community, no country is born without hard work,” Murthy said. He said: “When I say work hard, I don’t go to the office and sleep there. When I say work hard, I mean work hard and smart.”
Murthy’s recent interview reinforced the long-held belief that India’s five-day work week is hurting its economic potential.
The 72-hour plan was introduced as a requirement for companies seeking rapid improvements and better performance.
Murthy’s comparison with China is somewhat odd, however, as the 996 system was banned in 2021 after it was found to breach workplace health and safety and cause long-term harm.
The World Health Organization has said that working more than 55 hours a week increases the risk of serious health problems compared to the standard 35 to 40 hours.
Several other studies have looked at shorter weeks and produced results that contradict their claims.
The Icelandic experiment with a four-day work week showed greater emotional stability, better well-being and stable or higher performance, and Microsoft Japan also noted a significant increase in productivity during its experiment.
These findings challenge the assumption that longer working hours systematically lead to better national or organizational performance.
With the proliferation of artificial intelligence 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 cannot necessarily offset the burden of long working hours.
Office software can help streamline daily tasks, but it doesn’t eliminate the health risks that come with longer schedules.
Similarly, AI tools can support automation and efficiency, but they cannot replace the need for adequate rest and sustainable work schedules.
The pace of accelerating AI adoption has increased pressure on all companies, with high-profile figures such as Sergey Brin talking about the 60-hour productivity peak.
However, developers continue to suffer from increasing fatigue and psychological stress.
IN IT Pro