Infosys’ New ‘Work-Life Balance’ Policy: A Shift from Narayana Murthy’s 70-Hour Workweek Vision?

In October 2023, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy sparked a global debate by advocating for a 70-hour workweek for young professionals to boost India’s productivity. However, in a surprising pivot, Infosys has now introduced a new ‘Work-Life Balance’ policy (effective June 1, 2025) that emphasizes flexible hours, mental health support, and hybrid work models.

This blog examines:
✔ Key features of Infosys’ new policy
✔ How it contrasts with Murthy’s 70-hour workweek philosophy
✔ Employee and industry reactions
✔ The future of work culture in Indian IT

Infosys’ New Work-Life Balance Policy (2025): Key Highlights

Feature	Details	Effective Date
Flexible Work Hours	Employees can choose core hours (10 AM–3 PM) with flexible start/end times	June 1, 2025
Hybrid Work Model	2 days WFO (Work From Office), 3 days WFH for most roles	June 1, 2025
No Weekend Work	Strict no-work policy on Saturdays/Sundays (except critical projects)	Immediate
Mental Health Leave	12 additional paid days/year for mental wellness	July 1, 2025
Productivity-Based Evaluation	Focus on output, not hours logged	June 1, 2025

Source: Infosys Internal Memo (May 15, 2025)

Why the Sudden Shift from Murthy’s 70-Hour Workweek?

1. Employee Pushback

A 2024 Infosys survey revealed:
- 68% of employees reported burnout symptoms.
- 42% considered quitting due to workload stress.

2. Competition for Talent

Rivals like TCS and Wipro already offer 4-day workweeks in some roles.
Startups lure talent with unlimited leave policies.

3. Productivity Research

Stanford study: Output declines after 50 hours/week.
Infosys’ internal data showed no productivity gain beyond 55 hours.

Narayana Murthy’s 70-Hour Workweek vs. New Policy

Parameter	Murthy’s View (2023)	Infosys’ 2025 Policy
Weekly Hours	70+	40–50 (flexible)
Weekends	Work if needed	Strictly off
Success Metric	Hours worked	Output delivered
Employee Health	“Sacrifice for nation-building”	Mandated wellness breaks

Murthy has not publicly commented on the new policy (as of June 2025).

Employee & Industry Reactions

👍 Supporters Say:

“Finally, work is about results, not face time.” — Priya K. (Infosys Bengaluru)
“This will reduce attrition (currently 25%).” — HR Head, The Economic Times

👎 Critics Argue:

“Infosys is losing its competitive edge.” — R. Swaminathan (Industry Analyst)
“Hybrid work kills mentorship culture.” — Former Infosys VP

Global Comparisons

Company	Work Policy	Productivity Change
Microsoft (Japan)	4-day week	+40%
Tata Consultancy Services	3-day office	No impact
Infosys (New)	2-day office	To be measured

What’s Next for Infosys?

Q3 2025: Review policy impact on attrition/profitability.
2026: Possible expansion of 4-day workweek pilots.

Key Takeaways

✔ Infosys prioritizes wellness after Murthy’s hardline stance.
✔ Policy aligns with Gen Z workplace expectations.
✔ Productivity metrics (not hours) will define success.

Author Profile

Sourashis Chanda

Author (Intern) at Bitlance Tech Hub Private Limited | [email protected]

Sourashis Chanda brings readers their unique perspective on Business, Economy, Health and Fitness. With a background in Health and Physical Fitness of 2years, I am dedicated to exploring [what they aim to achieve with their writing, on the sustainable Economy of the country, various pro tips about business, latest goverment news, with some tips in health are and Fitness.