IT major Genpact’s 10-hour workday announcement triggers backlash

Genpact's decision to increase work hours to ten sparks backlash from employees and HR experts, undermining workplace values.

Technology and services major Genpact’s decision to increase daily work hours to ten has triggered a backlash from its employees and human resource (HR) experts, who say the move undermines progressive workplace values. A large number of employees have taken to social media to slam the decision.

The change, announced internally 20 days ago, has left many employees unsettled. At one of the company’s Hyderabad offices, an employee described the mood as tense. “I used to log in at 12 p.m. and wrap up by 9 p.m., and even that was exhausting. Now, with the new policy, I’ll have to start at 11 a.m.,” the employee said, requesting anonymity.

According to Genpact employees in Hyderabad, the implementation is scheduled in the middle of June. “When the decision was announced, we hoped they might reconsider after 15 days. But that didn’t happen and now it is too late,” the employee added.

Under the new system, the employees explained, ‘productivity’ will be monitored through an internal portal that tracks daily active hours. “If I clock the allotted time, I earn 500 points per month, which is worth ₹3,000. We have been told that 5% of it, which is ₹150 in my case, will be paid for the additional time. It hardly feels like an incentive.”

A senior employee involved in hiring said on the condition of anonymity: “The work pressure is intense, and attrition is rising. I’m seeing experienced staff walking out everyday and new faces being hired. What’s worse is that this 10-hour policy isn’t even official. It’s passed through managers and agents. If you question it, you’re branded with ‘behavioural issues’ and let go. Earlier, HR maintained transparency in hiring numbers. Now, even that’s controlled entirely by management.”

Concerns have also been aired on social media platforms. “This absolutely pathetic and company increased working hours to 10, without increasing salary,” wrote one Reddit user. “Not just that, you have to complete “WAM” that basically is an abusive tool which logs keystrokes. You have to maintain 9 hrs of those out of 10 now, or you get warning mails. 3-4 of such emails and they deduct your bonus and kill appraisals (sic),” the user added.

A veteran in the IT-enabled services sector, who began his career at Genpact more than two decades ago, said the decision contradicts the values the company was built on. “I worry this will influence other firms, especially local companies, to follow suit. HR has failed to act as a voice of reason here,” he said.