Finally, a Sensible Approach! Netizens Applaud Capgemini CEO’s Stand on Work-Life Balance | Here's What He Said

New Delhi: Amid ongoing debates over long working hours in India’s corporate sector, Capgemini India CEO Ashwin Yardi’s stance on work-life balance has struck a chord with netizens. Advocating for a 47.5-hour work week and discouraging emails on weekends, Yardi’s remarks at the Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum (NTLF) in Mumbai have been widely appreciated online.

Yardi asserted that unless an issue can actually be resolved over the weekend, there is no point in burdening employees with unnecessary emails. His statement resonated with many, especially in contrast to recent calls for extreme work schedules—Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy suggested a 70-hour work week, while L&T Chairman S N Subrahmanyan proposed a staggering 90-hour work week.

Reacting to Yardi’s remarks, a user on X (formerly Twitter) expressed relief, saying, "Thank God, there are sensible people too!" Others lauded his practical approach, highlighting the importance of mental well-being in a demanding industry.

While some industry leaders continue to push for longer working hours, voices like Yardi’s, along with Nasscom chairperson Sindhu Gangadharan and Marico CEO Saugata Gupta, stress that outcomes should matter more than the number of hours clocked.

Yardi also detailed how Capgemini is adapting to changing workforce expectations, citing quarterly promotions, six-week employee surveys, and structured career paths to support employees’ growth.

What Did Yardi Say?

Replying to a question on the ideal time to be put in by an employee per week, while speaking at Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum (NTLF) in Mumbai, Yardi said,"Forty seven and half hours. We have about nine hours a day and five days a week."

"My guiding principle for the last four years is don't send an e-mail on a weekend even if it is an escalation unless you know you can solve it on a weekend," he added.

Acknowledging that sometimes he does work on weekends, Yardi said he desists from sending e-mails to employees, as there is no point just to give "grief" to an employee knowing well that the work cannot be done on a weekend.

At a time when work culture debates are intensifying, Yardi’s balanced approach has earned him praise from employees and netizens alike, who see it as a much-needed step towards a healthier corporate environment.