“Even At Rs 1 Crore Salaries”: Giga ML CEO Stirs Debate on Indian Engineers’ Work Ethic
“Even At Rs 1 Crore Salaries": Giga ML CEO Stirs Debate on Indian Engineers’ Work Ethic
Some supported his views, while others highlighted that increased working hours do not automatically lead to higher productivity
IIT-Kharagpur graduate Varun Vummadi, the CEO of the US tech firm Giga ML, sparked a discussion about work ethic and work-life balance in the tech sector. He made a statement on X, asserting that numerous Indian engineers are reluctant to put in the effort, even when presented with lucrative salary offers.
Vummadi voiced his dissatisfaction with the mindset of engineers in India, especially those who are just starting out or are in the middle of their careers. He reinforced his viewpoint by citing the strong work ethic demonstrated by his own family.
I’ve noticed a pattern in hiring engineers for our Indian office. Even with a base salary of ₹1 crore, many are unwilling to work hard. A significant number of engineers with 3–8 years of experience are reluctant to work six days a week.
— Varun Vummadi (@varunvummadi) January 30, 2025
Varun Vummadi’s post on X garnered more than 369,000 views, striking a chord with numerous users.
“I’ve noticed a pattern in hiring engineers for our Indian office. Even with a base salary of Rs 1 crore, many are unwilling to work hard. A significant number of engineers with 3–8 years of experience are reluctant to work six days a week. My dad and mom are government teachers. They still work 6 days a week. 6*8 hrs for a Rs 1 crore base salary, which is significantly above the benchmark for 3-8 year experienced people, is extremely fair,” his post says.
His remarks sparked a variety of responses on the internet. Some people supported his views, while others highlighted that increased working hours do not automatically lead to higher productivity. Numerous individuals contended that maintaining sustainable productivity and mental health should take precedence over financial rewards.
His post further reads, “So work-life balance is what cuts it for attention and press in the Indian crowd. People who are willing to work hard—hope they don’t get eaten up by this virus. Many successful startups did 6 or 7 days a week. @elonmusk is a living example of where you can be if you work hard.”
Vummadi’s statements arise during a discussion on work-life balance, sparked by L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s comments regarding employees working on Sundays. Several users on X have raised questions about Vummadi’s advocacy for a six-day workweek.
