Summary: Veeba Founder and Managing Director Viraj Bahl has strongly opposed the idea of 70-hour workweeks, calling such expectations “bats**t crazy.” Speaking on The Rockford Circle podcast, he argued that while long hours might be justifiable for founders, who benefit the most financially, imposing them on employees without proportional compensation is unfair. His stance contrasts with Infosys founder Narayana Murthy’s 2023 call for 70-hour workweeks to drive economic growth. Bahl’s remarks highlight growing resistance to excessive work demands and emphasize the need for a balanced work culture.
In a strong rebuke of excessive work expectations, Veeba Founder and Managing Director Viraj Bahl has dismissed the idea of pushing employees to work 70-hour weeks, calling it “bats**t crazy.”
Speaking on “The Rockford Circle” podcast, hosted by Chitrangada Singh, Bahl asserted that while such grueling schedules might make sense for founders, who stand to gain the most financially, imposing similar demands on employees is unfair.
“You know, it is okay for a founder to work 70 hours because he is the biggest commercial gainer out of a 70-hour workweek,” Bahl stated. “To expect your team to work 70 hours is crazy. Either compensate them in the same way you are getting compensated for working 70 hours, proportionately, or do not expect them to work 70 hours.”
His comments contrast sharply with views expressed by certain industry veterans, most notably Infosys founder Narayana Murthy. In 2023, Murthy reignited the debate by urging employees to embrace 70-hour workweeks as a means of driving economic growth and nation-building.
Bahl’s stance underscores a growing pushback against excessive work demands in corporate culture, reinforcing the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes both productivity and employee well-being.
Check out more on Startup news and Startup Funding News. Stay connected with us across all our social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Join Our Community.
Last Updated on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 5:59 pm by Startup Times
About The Author
