Mint Explainer: Why Narayana Murthy's call for a 70-hour work week won't fly

livemint.com:

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) have asked employees to return to office three days a week but Infosys, HCL Technologies and Wipro continue to allow employees to come in between one and three days a week. The companies are all nudging employees rather than imposing blanket rules, citing cohesive team work, better data safety, and lower chances of moonlighting. But this stance is in direct contrast to their approach when the hiring frenzy was at its peak.

Infosys even acknowledged gig work and was ready to allow employees to work on such projects while stopping short of permitting them to take on additional full-time jobs. Companies also talked about things like work-life balance and pursuing interests after work hours when it was an employee's market and attrition was at an all-time high. The pandemic has altered the DNA of new campus hires.

Although the job market is sluggish, new jobseekers know the tide will turn and continue to demand flexible work hours and other benefits. Companies in the IT sector have a benefit basket, and are using upskilling programs to try and retain employees. But the newer lot is not satisfied with fancy gadgets or slick offices, and isn't afraid to question companies about their ESG efforts and how they treat their employees.

Long working are unlikely to fly with this crowd, and companies may want to rethink strategies for this young, cheaper manpower whose exits will hit their margins. TCS recently sent out a memo reminding its employees to adhere to an appropriate dress code. According to the HR head of a rival firm, this diktat goes against every effort to portray the office as a relaxed space to work .