Not right to send mails to workers on weekends, says Capgemini CEO on employee well-being

Countering debates about 70-hour or 90-hour work week, Capgemini India’s Chief Executive, Ashwin Yardi, on Tuesday said that a 47.5-hour work week is an ideal working hour schedule for workers. He also said that it's not right to send emails to employees on weekends. He made these remarks at the Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum (NTLF).

Work Hours Should Be Nine Hours a Day, Five Days a Week

"Forty-seven and a half hours. We have about nine hours a day and five days a week," Yardi said when asked about the ideal working hours per week for an employee.

Avoiding Weekend Emails Unless Necessary

Yardi emphasized that emails should not be sent on weekends unless they involve an issue that can be resolved during that time. "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 said.

Work-Life Balance for Employees

He acknowledged that he sometimes works on weekends but refrains from sending emails to employees. "There is no point just to give 'grief' to an employee knowing well that the work cannot be done on a weekend," he added.

Contrasting Views on Work Hours

The discussion on work hours has gained attention, with IT industry leader and Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy advocating a 70-hour work week. Larsen and Toubro’s Chairman, S N Subrahmanyan, has suggested a 90-hour work week.

Focus on Outcomes Over Hours

At the same event, Nasscom Chairperson Sindhu Gangadharan, who also heads SAP India, emphasized that outcomes should be the focus rather than the number of hours worked. Marico’s Chief Executive, Saugata Gupta, also supported an outcome-based approach and noted that he sends emails late at night if necessary.

Addressing Employee Expectations

Yardi highlighted the importance of understanding the expectations of younger employees in the IT industry. He outlined strategies Capgemini has adopted, including quarterly promotion cycles, six-week employee surveys, and structured career growth plans.

(Inputs from PTI)