'Talks should be around increasing IT productivity, not increasing hours': Shark Tank India judge Namita Thapar

Shark Tank India judge Namita Thapar, in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), urged the IT industry to focus on boosting productivity instead of simply extending work hours.

"It would be great if conversations are around increasing IT productivity rather than increasing hours," she wrote. 

It would be great if conversations are around increasing IT productivity rather than increasing hours 🙄! Excellent statistics by @EconomicTimes pic.twitter.com/W43tyoOmuW

— Namita (@namitathapar) March 31, 2025

In a post, Thapar highlighted data from The Economic Times showing that real monthly wages for IT companies' employees in 2023-24 were lower than the salary level in 2017-18 despite corporate profits reaching a 15-year high.

Thapar argued that this gap suggests conversations should shift from adding more hours to raising per-employee output and compensation. She also pointed to statistics illustrating how major Indian IT firms’ revenue per employee has grown over time.

Thapar's critique aligns with her longstanding advocacy for sustainable work practices. In December 2024, she addressed the 70-hour workweek debate, labeling such extended hours as "unsustainable" and detrimental to both physical and mental health.

She argued that while founders might invest extensive hours due to significant financial stakes, imposing similar expectations on regular employees, who receive fixed salaries without additional upside, is unjust. Thapar highlighted the adverse consequences of such practices, including health issues and absentee parenting, ultimately leading to widespread employee dissatisfaction and burnout. ​

A 2023 report indicated that Indian IT employees were already clocking 45-50 hours per week, surpassing the standard 40-hour workweek. Despite these extended hours, productivity gains remained elusive, with revenue per employee for major firms like TCS, Wipro, and HCLTech showing a decline over a five-year period.

Additionally, 58% of the IT workforce reported an average to poor work-life balance, a figure notably higher than the global average of 40%.