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Swiggy News : Hustle culture is garnering more and more attention in the fast-business world wherein working extra hours has always become a badge of honor. Recently, several Indian CEOs voiced opinions on this aspect, some being quite vocal about having to work longer hours to achieve success, even unknowingly. In fact, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy recently managed to create a stir by encouraging his employees to put in overtime to be good at their jobs. This is often considered one aspect of old-school corporate expectations, where dedication can be measured in terms of hours spent at one’s desk rather than output or efficiency.
However, Swiggy’s CEO Rohit Kapoor has taken a sharply different view. Speaking at a recent event, Kapoor said he totally disagreed with the concept of “hustle culture” and that people do not need to burn midnight oil to become successful. His candid comments have since gone viral on social media and have been seen as refreshing and relatable for his take on work-life balance. The message that Kapoor shared was resonating with many, as it overturned the general consensus that somehow equates long hours with productivity and success.
Swiggy’s CEO Rohit Kapoor Rejects Hustle Culture
Kapur’s views on work culture are not only bold but also very much in time. A time when the hype around hustle culture has soared, the dismissing remarks of the need to work till the wee hours of the morning by Swiggy’s CEO resonated with all. Kapur questioned the unnecessary pressure put by people on themselves to stay in office long after regular working hours.
“Why are you burning the midnight oil? Who asked you to do this?” Kapoor said at the event. He requested people to go back home and spend time with their loved ones – be it the spouse, kids, or even the pet. “Ghar jao, dog hai, biwi hai, girlfriend hai, bache hain, kuch toh karo (Go home, you have a dog, a wife, a girlfriend, kids – do something).“
Kapoor spoke like the wind of change for employees who seem to be doing too much, yet being owed too little. He was never propagating laziness or putting one’s nose in a book; rather, he was speaking of a balanced life so that work doesn’t all take up the waking hours. He turned the hustle culture on its head as these insist on “giving everything” to build something worthwhile. Kapoor went against the whole philosophy by propagating working smarter not harder, and also making sure about achieving healthy work-life balance for employees.
Test the idea of ‘crazy for work’
Kapoor also derailed a common stereotype of most corporate worlds-which always holds it as true that one has to be “crazy for work” to make it. He told bane: “It’s a work, I agree, but that doesn’t mean it should be obsessively unhealthy.” “You don’t need to be crazy to succeed,” he added, pointing out that it doesn’t exactly come easy, but you shouldn’t have to give up your sanity to get there.
In the competitive work environment of today, it is very easy to feel the pressure to overdo things. To many workers, it seems that if one is not taking the office till midnight, then one is not working. Or if one is working overtime, then surely one is doing a good job. This was the way of thinking in many organizations up to this very day where being in the office till midnight was viewed as something special. But then again, Kapoor’s message is a telling reminder that it’s not the number of hours put in that keeps the pot on the boil, but working smart, knowing when to step out of the desk.
Kapoor’s remarks came at a time when conversations about toxic work culture are gaining traction, especially after recent events. The tragic death of a young Chartered Accountant working at Ernst & Young in Pune, reportedly due to excessive work, reignited debates over the ill effects of overextended hours at work on mental as well as physical health. Everybody is questioning whether the glorification of ‘hustle culture’ and pushing oneself to the brink is indeed necessary for success or success is possible without it.
Reaction to Kapoor’s Comments on Social Media
Kapoor’s remarks not only sent ripples in the corporate world but also echoed among the netizens. His video began to go viral, and many people took to social media to express solidarity for his views on the work-life balance. They praised him for being “normal” and offering sane, practical advice, resounding with every one in the street.
“Finally, someone spoke the way all of us spoke,” a user wrote in one post, echoing what many must be thinking: I am so fed up with these non-sense expectations of modern work culture.
While elaborating on this thought, the user commented, “This thought is capable enough for Swiggy to beat Zomato,” and how well Kapoor’s emphasis on the employee well being can cash better to be at a time and place where companies shrewdly moving in their pursuit of profits forget the people.
Other comments echoed the same spirit of thought-why do hours necessarily translate to productivity? “So true, people who can’t finish their work in 8 hours won’t finish it in 12-14 hours,” one user noted. That’s an observation very much in line with growing research suggesting that working more hours can lead to diminishing returns because employees become less efficient and more subject to burnout.
Even more users played a sporty swipe at Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, who had earlier supported extended work hours. Now, “Narayan Murthy wants to know his location,” some users said, while others appreciated Kapoor for being that much-needed voice of reason against the showmanship of hustle culture.
The Changing Corporate Culture
What lies behind Kapoor’s statements and their positive reception is a far broader shift in how people look upon work. Long hours cannot be sustainable, in reality. The long, drawn-out pandemic has made many organizations realize this. Remote work has introduced a number of employees to better work-life balances and those could just be sinking in. The mental and physical well-being starts to sink in, and sacrificing everything for career just doesn’t cut it anymore.
For instance, leaders like Kapoor are dismantling the factory common way of handling work. No more does a company force the worker to put in long hours, but rather realized that a healthy work environment is beneficial. When workers are better rested, as well as have some time to rejuvenate, they are more productive, creative, and less likely to be burned out.
The Significance of Work-Life Balance
An important takeaway from Kapoor’s message was the need for work-life balance in today’s world. Many employees have seen the lines of work and home life blurred over the past year and are now left feeling more weary and burnt out than ever. Companies need to take a step back and understand that this is an integral part of their responsibility toward rejuvenating employees.
Not working fewer hours is the whole purpose of work-life balance-it is creating a culture where employees feel valued and supported. When employees have ample opportunity to pursue their passion outside of work, they tend to come to work with fresh ideas and perspectives. Consequently, this may translate into increased innovation and success for the entire company.
Conclusion: New Approach towards Success
Rohit Kapoor’s commentary against hustle culture really is pretty refreshing and timely in today’s business world, where people don’t want to be hustled any more. His arguments on work-life balance and the idea of how well success can do without burning those midnight oils really resonate to the hearts of most people. Indeed, hard work is necessary, but never at the expense of well-being. Actually, this would lead to a healthier work environment for companies that would help them experience greater productivity, creativity, and long-term success.
With leaders like Kapoor talking against the kind of work culture that only spawns poison, it’ll be possible to see a light at the end of the tunnel towards balance and sustainability in success. Efficiency, innovation, and giving up and taking care of one’s self from within as well as outside the office are worth celebrating more.