In a move that challenges conventional views on productivity and burnout, Infosys, India’s second-largest IT company, is actively discouraging employees from exceeding standard work hours. The Bengaluru-based tech giant has implemented an automated system that tracks remote working patterns and sends personalized alerts to employees who consistently clock excessive hours. These alerts, which also go to the Human Resources (HR) department, are part of a broader organizational push toward preserving employee health and ensuring work-life balance.
This development starkly contrasts with Infosys founder Narayana Murthy’s controversial suggestion last year advocating a 70-hour workweek to boost India’s productivity and economic growth. While Murthy’s comment sparked national debate, Infosys’s latest move signals the company’s current leadership is choosing a different path—one that aligns more closely with global norms around employee wellness.
According to a report by The Economic Times (July 2025), the company’s internal system monitors remote work activity across devices and timesheets. When work activity repeatedly goes beyond a healthy limit—especially during weekends or late nights—the system flags the behavior, prompting HR to check in with the concerned employees. The warning messages, personalized to the employee, aim to ensure that individuals are aware of their overwork patterns and encouraged to manage their time better.
An Infosys spokesperson, speaking anonymously to ET, stated:
“Our goal is not to penalize overworking employees, but to proactively safeguard their physical and mental well-being. We want to create a sustainable workplace culture.”
This action comes at a time when employee burnout and mental health issues are being increasingly recognized as systemic problems within the Indian IT industry. Long work hours, unrealistic project deadlines, and a culture of “being always available” have led to rising stress levels among tech workers, especially in post-pandemic hybrid and remote work models.
Industry experts believe that Infosys’s decision reflects a shifting trend in corporate India, where companies are gradually acknowledging that long hours don’t necessarily translate into productivity or innovation. In fact, research from the World Health Organization and ILO shows that working more than 55 hours a week increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
“This is a significant shift,” said HR consultant Priya Sharma. “For years, overwork was glamorized in the Indian IT industry. Infosys’s new approach sends a clear message: efficiency and balance matter more than sheer hours logged.”
Interestingly, the move has received both praise and surprise across corporate circles. Many employees at Infosys have welcomed the change, noting that it makes them feel more valued and respected. Others view it as a quiet rebuke of Murthy’s statement, suggesting that the company is moving on from outdated productivity models.
Despite this divergence in philosophy, Infosys has not directly addressed Murthy’s 70-hour remark in any public communication. However, the implementation of an automated system to discourage overwork does signal a decisive pivot from traditional high-pressure work environments.
As Indian IT companies face increasing global scrutiny and talent competition, prioritizing employee wellness may not only prevent burnout but also help in attracting and retaining top talent.
Infosys’s initiative sets a new benchmark in the Indian corporate world—one that values human sustainability over relentless hustle.
Sources:
- The Economic Times
- World Health Organization
- Infosys Internal Sources (as cited by ET)
