The long-standing debate on working hours in India has turned a new corner, with Capgemini India CEO Ashwin Yardi promoting a balanced strategy. Addressing the 'Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum' Yardi advocated a 47.5-hour workweek and stressed staying away from emails to staff during weekends.

"Forty-seven and a half hours. We have nine and a half hours a day and five days a week", Yardi said, noting the value of having a schedule of work hours. Although he conceded to sometimes working on weekends, he avoids sending emails to employees during those times to avoid unnecessary stress.

Yardi’s comments come amid ongoing discussions sparked by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy's call for a 70-hour workweek and L&T Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan's controversial remarks about Sunday work. Subrahmanyan recently stated he would be happier if employees worked on Sundays, reflecting the industry's split perspectives.

Conversely, Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube was worried about working long hours, saying, "I don't want youngsters to work 70 hours. If I'm not doing it, how can I expect them to?" He emphasized the need for work-life balance and the remorse many professionals have for losing out on personal time".

Nasscom Chairperson and SAP India head Sindhu Gangadharan seconded the sentiments, underlining that results must be given greater importance than the number of hours worked. Marico CEO Saugata Gupta confessed to occasionally sending mails as late as 11 p.m. but conceded the importance of balance.

The mixed industry response is symptomatic of the intricacies involved in balancing the work-life matrix in India's fast-developing corporate scene. While captains like Yardi emphasize disciplined timings and worker health, others like Subrahmanyan advocate greater work hours in an effort to optimize productivity.

As the discussion goes on, the question is: Can Indian workplaces achieve a healthy equilibrium between ambition and employee welfare? For the moment, leaders such as Yardi are advocating a middle path one where work is accomplished, but weekends are off-limits.