Genpact’s New 10-Hour Workday Triggers Employee Outrage and Industry Criticism
Genpact, a prominent name in the tech and business services industry, is facing mounting criticism over its recent decision to implement a 10-hour daily work schedule. The policy, communicated internally nearly three weeks ago, has sparked concern and dissatisfaction among employees, particularly in its Hyderabad offices, where the rollout is expected to begin mid-June, as reported by The Hindu. Employees have voiced fears over rising work pressure, compromised work-life balance, and lack of transparency surrounding the change. Many took to social media platforms, including Reddit, to express outrage, calling the new rules “pathetic” and questioning the minimal incentives offered in exchange for longer hours. According to employees, productivity will now be closely monitored via an internal tracking portal. Workers who complete the designated hours can earn up to 500 points per month—translating to ₹3,000—but only ₹150 of that reflects compensation for the extra time, which many argue is negligible. Additionally, employees must now maintain 9 hours of “active” work, monitored through keystroke-logging tools like “WAM,” failing which warning emails are issued. Repeated violations can lead to deductions in bonuses and appraisals. One senior staffer, speaking anonymously, described a rising wave of attrition and growing pressure on those remaining. “Every day, experienced employees are leaving, and new hires are brought in. If someone raises questions, they’re labeled as having behavioral issues and shown the door,” they said. The source added that HR transparency, once a norm at Genpact, has deteriorated, with all hiring and monitoring decisions now tightly controlled by upper management. HR professionals and industry veterans have also criticized the move. A former Genpact employee, now a senior figure in the ITES sector, lamented that the policy betrays the progressive principles the company was once known for. They expressed concern that this precedent might encourage other firms—especially Indian companies—to adopt similar exploitative policies. Executive recruiter Achyut Menon pointed out that this development reflects a wider post-pandemic trend. “During COVID-19, many companies gave out generous salary hikes. Now, some believe they overcompensated, and are using extended hours and rigid policies to push staff out, making room for cheaper hires,” he explained. While employees initially hoped the company might reverse the decision after two weeks of feedback, no rollback has occurred, further deepening the unrest within the workforce. Source: Economic Times
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