Capgemini India CEO Ashwin Yardi Backs 47.5-Hour Workweek, Opposes Weekend Emails
Capgemini India’s Chief Executive, Ashwin Yardi, has weighed in on the ongoing debate regarding ideal working hours.
On Tuesday, during the Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum (NTLF), Yardi expressed his support for a 47.5-hour workweek while opposing work-related emails on weekends.
Advocating a 47.5-Hour Workweek
When asked about the ideal number of hours an employee should work per week, Yardi responded, “Forty-seven and a half hours. We have about nine hours a day and five days a week.”
He further emphasized his principle regarding weekend communication, stating, “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.”
No Weekend Emails Unless Necessary
Yardi elaborated that he avoids sending emails over the weekend unless the matter can be resolved immediately.
He sees no value in causing unnecessary stress for employees when the work cannot be completed before Monday. However, he admitted that he sometimes works on weekends.
Differing Views Among Industry Leaders
At the same event, Nasscom Chairperson Sindhu Gangadharan, who also heads SAP India, highlighted that workplace productivity should focus on outcomes rather than hours clocked.
Similarly, Marico CEO Saugata Gupta agreed with this viewpoint but mentioned that he occasionally sends emails late at night.
Yardi’s remarks contrast with recent comments made by industry leaders advocating significantly longer workweeks.
Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy has suggested a 70-hour workweek, while L&T Chairman S N Subrahmanyan has proposed an even longer 90-hour workweek.
Subrahmanyan went as far as to express regret over not being able to make employees work on Sundays, controversially stating, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife, and how long can the wife stare at the husband?”
Addressing Changing Employee Expectations
Yardi emphasized the importance of adapting to the evolving expectations of younger employees.
To support this, Capgemini has introduced initiatives such as quarterly promotion cycles for career growth, six-week employee surveys to understand concerns, and structured career paths to assist employees in planning their professional journeys.
While some business leaders advocate for longer working hours to boost economic growth, Yardi’s approach prioritizes a balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being.
His stance suggests that companies must consider both productivity and employee satisfaction in shaping work policies.
