Anupam Mittal and Namita Thapar clash over the idea of work-life balance, offering contrasting opinions on how much is too much when it comes to work hours.
In a recent interview with Humans of Bombay, Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com, slammed the concept of work life balance, calling it “a big lie.”
He argued that anyone looking to achieve something extraordinary in life can’t be focused on counting work hours. Mittal emphasized that success comes from putting in long, intense hours, and he shared how, in his early days, he worked 16 hour days, without ever worrying about the time.
According to him, struggle builds character, and those starting their careers should put in their all while they have the energy. But Namita Thapar, CEO of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, had a completely different view.
She called Mittal’s stance “a crock of bull****” and sharply disagreed. Thapar believes that while founders and top stakeholders may work non-stop, employees should not be expected to do the same.
She highlighted the risks to physical and mental health that come from working too many hours. Thapar explained that employees, like her accountant, don’t have the same financial benefits as founders, so they shouldn’t be expected to work endless hours.
For her, work life balance is necessary, especially to protect employees’ well being. Thapar also pointed out that those in high stakes roles, like founders, may be driven to work around the clock, but this should not be expected of regular employees.
She warned that this non-stop grind can lead to absentee parenting, affecting the next generation’s mental health.
Analysis:
This debate brings up an important issue for both entrepreneurs and employees. Mittal’s viewpoint highlights the intense dedication required to build something big, but Thapar’s argument stresses the importance of setting limits to avoid burnout.
For startups, this means finding a balance pushing hard when needed but ensuring employees have time to recharge. There’s no one size fits all solution, but it’s clear that while hard work is essential, so is protecting health and maintaining strong personal relationships. Striking that balance is key for long term success, both for businesses and individuals.
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