Ex HCL CEO Vineet Nayar scoffs at 90-hr-workweeks, suggests 'Work less, live more' while sharing pic of hi - The Economic Times

[mnews]

The debate over long working hours gained renewed attention this week following controversial remarks by L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, who suggested employees should work up to 90 hours per week, even on Sundays. Former HCL CEO Vineet Nayar joined the conversation, presenting a contrasting perspective focused on living a fulfilling life rather than measuring productivity by hours worked.
In a LinkedIn post, Nayar expressed concern about the glorifying excessive working hours. “The real question isn’t how much you work. It’s how fully you live.” Criticizing relentless schedules and constant connectivity, he emphasized that such lifestyles drain energy, stifle creativity, and erode purpose. “We glorify long hours, back-to-back meetings, and being always on. But an unlived life drains energy, creativity, and purpose,” he argued.

The entrepreneur shared a picture of him getting a head massage from a street professional named Shah Rukh and wrote, "Today, I didn’t just get a head massage. I took back a moment of my life. nd by the way, Shahrukh gives the best head massage ever. Grateful he kept going till I almost fell asleep."
Nayar proposed a balanced solution, saying, “Work more if you want. Work less if you can. The number doesn’t matter. What matters is whether you’re making space for moments that make life worth living.” His view aligns with a growing acknowledgment of the importance of work-life balance in maintaining mental well-being and productivity.

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra also weighed in, advocating for a focus on the quality of work rather than the hours spent. In his view, the impact of one’s output matters more than the time invested. “It’s not about 40 hours, 70 hours, or 90 hours. What output are you doing? Even if it’s 10 hours, you can change the world in 10 hours,” Mahindra remarked.He stressed that well-rounded decision-making requires balance. “If you’re not spending time at home, with friends, reading, or reflecting, how will you bring the right inputs into making decisions?” Mahindra underscored the importance of personal time, arguing that a life well-lived is integral to professional success.Adding to the discourse, industrialist Gautam Adani recently shared his views on work-life balance, suggesting that it should be an individual choice rather than a societal expectation. “Your idea of work-life balance shouldn’t be imposed on me, and my idea shouldn’t be imposed on you,” he said. He highlighted how different individuals find joy in varying degrees of family time. “If someone spends 4 hours with family and feels fulfilled, or if another spends 8 hours and enjoys it, that’s their balance.”Adani also humorously cautioned against unrealistic expectations. Referring to spending excessive time at home, he quipped, “Aath ghanta family ke saath bitayega tho biwi bhaag jaayegi (Spend eight hours with your family, and your wife might leave).” This remark sparked backlash online, with critics accusing him of trivializing the importance of family time and endorsing harmful work cultures.
The ongoing debate reflects a shift in workplace philosophy, with leaders advocating for prioritizing fulfillment, productivity, and quality over sheer working hours. While Subrahmanyan’s remarks sparked controversy, responses from Nayar, Mahindra, and Adani highlighted the need for nuanced, personalized approaches to balancing professional and personal life. As perspectives evolve, the conversation underscores the growing recognition that work should support, not overshadow, a meaningful and well-rounded life.