Akasa Air CEO Advocates Work-Life Balance Over 70-Hour Work Weeks

Vinay Dube, founder and CEO of Akasa Air, recently shared his views on the debate around long working hours, advocating for a balanced approach to career success and personal well-being.

In a conversation with NDTV Profit, Dube expressed that while hard work is important, he doesn’t subscribe to the idea of working 70-hour weeks, and he doesn’t expect others, especially young professionals, to do so either. “I don’t want youngsters to work 70 hours. If I’m not doing it, how can I expect them to?” he said.

Dube’s comments come amid rising discussions on work culture, especially after Larsen & Toubro Ltd. Chairman SN Subrahmanyan stirred a social media uproar last week, with his remark that employees should work 90 hours a week, including Sundays.

In a now-viral video shared on Reddit, Subrahmanyan, in an internal meeting, was seen saying, "I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays," he said, seemingly advocating for longer work hours.

Dube, however, stresses the importance of work-life balance, believing that young professionals can achieve career growth while maintaining personal lives. “I want people to have that perspective,” he added, highlighting that many people, in hindsight, regret not spending more time with their families and friends.

While Dube acknowledges that young people should work hard, he emphasises that this doesn’t mean working excessively. He advocates for a reasonable work-life balance, encouraging youngsters to work hard when needed but also make time for family, friends, and personal interests. Dube believes that career success doesn’t have to come at the cost of well-being, offering a refreshing perspective on leadership in a high-pressure industry.

Through his example, Dube promotes the idea that one can thrive in their career while also leading a fulfilling personal life, setting a healthy precedent for the next generation of professionals.