“I don’t believe in work-life balance,” says Narayana Murthy: Is life-work equilibrium an elusive ideal or essential for productivity?

Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, stirred controversy at the CNBC Global Leadership Summit by dismissing work-life balance as an 'indulgent myth' and advocating for 14-hour workdays to drive economic progress. His stance reflects India's deep-rooted culture of overwork, where a significant portion of the workforce clocks excessive hours, often leading to high burnout rates. Critics argue that such relentless work schedules are neither ethical nor sustainable, pointing to research that suggests employee well-being is crucial for long-term productivity. The debate continues on whether true productivity stems from well-balanced work environments or grueling work hours.