A Bengaluru-based tech CEO has set social media ablaze with a controversial job posting that's drawing comparisons to Infosys founder Narayana Murthy's much-debated work ethic philosophy.
Umesh Kumar, founder and CEO of SaaS company Runable, posted a job listing for a full-time intern position that explicitly stated the expectation of working 60-80 hours per week. The posting quickly went viral, triggering intense discussions about work culture in India's booming startup ecosystem.
The Viral Job Post That Started It All
The now-controversial LinkedIn post outlined rigorous requirements for the intern role, emphasizing extreme work hours that far exceed traditional employment standards. Kumar's justification centered around the demanding nature of startup environments and the need for exceptional commitment from team members.
Social Media Erupts in Debate
Online reactions poured in from professionals across industries, with opinions sharply divided:
- Supporters argue that startup success requires extraordinary dedication
- Critics condemn the expectation as exploitative and unsustainable
- Industry veterans question the productivity of such extended work hours
- Young professionals express concern about setting unhealthy precedents
Echoes of Narayana Murthy's 70-Hour Week Controversy
The debate strongly recalls last year's viral discussion sparked by Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy, who advocated for young Indians to work 70 hours per week to enhance the country's competitiveness. Kumar's posting has reignited the same fundamental questions about work-life balance, productivity, and employee welfare in modern Indian workplaces.
Bengaluru's Startup Culture Under Scanner
As India's Silicon Valley, Bengaluru has long been the epicenter of the country's tech revolution. However, this incident has put the city's work culture under fresh scrutiny, raising important questions about sustainable growth practices in the competitive startup landscape.
The ongoing conversation reflects a broader global shift in workplace expectations post-pandemic, with younger generations increasingly prioritizing mental health and work-life integration over traditional corporate ladder climbing.
