Genpact's 10-hour workday controversy; a row in India's work-life debate

Genpact recently iignited a widespread debate within India’s technology and sector with its alleged 10- hour workday policy. The unrest stems from reports that surfaced around mid - June 2025, detailing a new, yet controversial policy mandating a 10- hour workday for ts employees. 

This alleged policy quickly generated considerable online backlash and internal dissatisfaction within the employees. A defining characteristics of this controversy was its informal manner in which the supposed policy was disseminated. Reportedly, as per employees the directive was conveyed through managers and team leaders, rather than through HR channels or formal written circulars. This lack of formal documentation fostered considerable confusion, anxiety, and a pervasive sense of opacity among the workforce.

Official clarification

In response to the mounting online backlash and internal pressure, Genpact issued a public clarification to various media outlets. The company stated that it follows a 9 hour workday, contradicting the widespread reports and speculation of a 10 hour mandate.

Despite this clarification, Genpact demonstrated a reluctance to provide additional details regarding the policy. The stark discrepancy between Genpact's public clarification of a 9-hour workday and the extensive employee reports and media coverage detailing an alleged 10-hour mandate is a critical aspect of this controversy. This contradiction, coupled with the company's refusal to offer a detailed explanation, significantly exacerbated the "trust deficit" among employees. Employees argued that if the company genuinely intended to maintain a 9-hour schedule, it should have communicated this transparently and directly from the outset.

The controversy surrounding Genpact’s alleged 10 hour workday has reignited broader discussions regarding work-life balance and productivity expectations across India’s IT sectors. This is not an isolated incident, as other major IT companies are also re-evaluating their work schedules. Accenture, for instance, officially extended its workday for corporate functions (such as marketing and HR) from 8 to 9 hours, effective from 1 June 2024, while capping the work week at 45 hours in compliance with state labour policies. 

Infosys also requires its employees to log 9 hours and 15 minutes daily, and notably, also advised its employees against excessively long remote work hours, citing health risks and advocating for better work-life balance. HCL maintains a standard 9 hour workday. The ongoing debate has also been influenced by prominent voices within the industry, such as Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy, who once publicly advocated for a 70 hours work week.

Regulatory landscape

Under the existing Indian labour regulations, the standard workweek is capped at 48 hours with any additional hours qualifying for overtime compensation to double the regular rate. While these provisions are not always stringently applied to white-collar roles, the recent push toward extended working hours has intensified critical discourse around employee rights, mental well being and equitable remuneration, particularly when productivity benchmarks are already being met.

Adding another layer to this discussion are recent government proposals concerning labour reforms. The Karnataka government has passed amendments to extend daily working hours in certain sectors, including IT, from 10 hours to 12 hours, with a proposed increase in the overtime limit from 50 to 144 hours over three months, while maintaining the weekly cap at 48 hours. Furthermore, last year, Karnataka labour minister Santhosh Lad publicly stated that the state government was facing pressure from the IT industry to enact legislation that would permit software professionals to work up to 14 hours a day. 

Outlook

Ultimately, the Genpact controversy serves as a critical case study on the importance of transparent communication, ethical policy implementation, and the alignment of corporate values with operational practices. Sustainable growth and a resilient workforce depend on fostering an environment of trust, respecting employee well-being, and ensuring fair compensation for labor. Companies operating in a competitive global landscape must recognize that aggressive productivity mandates, if not carefully balanced with human considerations, can lead to a "boomerang effect," where short-term gains are overshadowed by long-term losses in human capital, morale, and reputation.