Shark Tank judge Namita Thapar tears into 70-hour workweek debate: ‘Don’t marry, don’t have kids if you can’t make time’

Namita Thapar, executive director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals and a prominent investor on the popular television show, Shark Tank India, has reignited the debate on work-life balance with her strong views on the gruelling work hours expected in certain industries.

Speaking on the Humans of Bombay podcast recently, Thapar argued that those working 70 hours a week should reconsider marriage and parenthood, as it could lead to family neglect and mental health issues for children.

“Seventy hours a week and then you are putting in another 30-40 hours a week. The rest of the time, you have to get a little bit of sleep. What time are you going to give your little baby or even a spouse who chose to be a homemaker to take care of the baby? Then just spare them the misery and the mental health issues of having an absent parent,” said Thapar.

Her comments come at a time when India’s corporate culture is witnessing an ongoing debate about extended workweeks. The discussion was reignited last year when Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy suggested that young Indians should work 70 hours a week to boost national productivity. Murthy's remarks has since become a massive debate in India, with some industry leaders supporting the call for increased dedication, while others warning about the risks of burnout and deteriorating work-life balance.

This year, Larson & Toubro's chairman, S. N. Subrahmanyan reignited the debate, advocating for a 90-hour workweek for young professionals. In a viral video, the L&T chairman was reportedly heard saying to his employees: "What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife?"

However, his remarks drew criticism from many quarters, with even Bollywood actress, Deepika Padukone stepping in and condemning his remarks.

Thapar, while acknowledging that high-stakes professionals may need to put in long hours, emphasized that companies should ensure reasonable limits for their broader workforce.

“For people where the stakes are high, yes. But for common employees, have a reasonable work limit knowing that there will be some blips, deliverables. But it cannot be a constant 70-hour workweek, which is what a lot of people are proposing,” she said.