Amid ongoing debates about work-life balance sparked by controversial remarks from some industry leaders, Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute, emphasized that productivity has its limits and that downtime is essential for rejuvenation.
Speaking to NDTV at Davos 2025, Mr. Poonawalla was asked about his daily working hours. He reflected on the intense demands during the Covid-19 pandemic when he worked nearly around the clock. “Entrepreneurship requires hard work to achieve your goals, but it’s not sustainable to push yourself continuously. You need time to unwind, refresh, and reassess,” he stated.
Mr. Poonawalla explained that leaders, especially CEOs, often have to network for purposes like fundraising, which requires energy and focus. Highlighting the importance of manageable working hours, he said Serum Institute operates on eight-hour shifts, with two to three shifts per day to maintain efficiency. “Our first shift begins at 7:30 AM and ends by 4:00 PM, followed by the next shift,” he said, adding that crisis scenarios like the pandemic are exceptions where people work extended hours fueled by adrenaline. However, he stressed that such schedules are not sustainable long-term.
This discussion on work-life balance has gained traction following recent comments by Larsen & Toubro Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, who advocated for a 90-hour workweek. During an internal interaction, he expressed regret over not being able to have employees work on Sundays, saying, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can wives stare at their husbands? Get to the office and start working.” The remarks triggered backlash on social media, with many calling them exploitative and highlighting the importance of focusing on work quality rather than quantity.
Mr. Poonawalla, responding to the uproar, humorously remarked that his wife enjoys staring at him on Sundays and reiterated that “quality of work over quantity” should be the priority.
Earlier, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy also advocated for a 70-hour workweek, stating that India’s youth must embrace hard work for the nation to reach its global potential. However, he later clarified that such hours should not be imposed on anyone and encouraged self-reflection on the matter.
In his interview, Mr. Poonawalla suggested that the remarks by other industry leaders were made in a lighter vein and emphasized the message behind them: there is no substitute for hard work. He concluded by underscoring the need for a balanced approach in life and work.
