Daksh Gupta, the Indian-American CEO of the AI startup Greptile based in San Francisco, has stirred controversy by disclosing that employees at his company are expected to work more than 14 hours a day.
Gupta defended his stance by claiming that a select group of employees enjoys working long hours. He also highlighted that the recruitment process at Greptile is fully transparent, ensuring that only candidates willing to embrace this demanding work culture are hired. By being upfront about the company’s expectations, Gupta believes employees are well-informed and less likely to experience dissatisfaction later on.
The issue of working hours has become a key topic of debate globally, with some businesses pushing for longer hours to boost productivity, while others advocate for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
In the U.S., blue-collar workers in fields like construction, manufacturing, and transportation typically work 40-50 hours per week, with some industries demanding 50-60 hours, particularly for shift work. White-collar workers in office settings generally work 40-45 hours per week, with occasional overtime.
Worldwide, Bhutan has the highest average working hours, with employees averaging 54.4 hours per week. The United Arab Emirates follows closely with 50.9 hours, while Lesotho ranks third at 50.4 hours. India holds the 13th position among the most overworked nations, with long hours prevalent across several sectors.
In India, blue-collar workers in labor-intensive industries typically work between 48-54 hours per week, usually on a 6-day schedule with 8-9 hour shifts. White-collar workers generally work 45-50 hours per week, with a standard 5-day, 9-hour workweek, though peak seasons or tight deadlines may require extra hours.
In September 2024, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy sparked a similar controversy by suggesting employees should work 70 hours a week, arguing it was essential for the nation’s progress. His comments faced significant backlash, with many questioning the feasibility of such long working hours in today’s modern work culture.
