Pune Company Demands Candidates Commit to Gruelling 72-Hour Workweek Without Negotiation
Pune Company Demands Candidates Commit to Gruelling 72-Hour Workweek Without Negotiation
Balancing a demanding job and personal life is already a challenge for many. The ideal scenario is where work supports a good quality of life, not consumes it entirely. But a Pune-based company has taken a very different approach—asking new hires upfront if they’re ready to commit to 12-hour days, six days a week, without any room for negotiation or compromise. That’s a brutal 72 hours every week, a reality that has sparked strong reactions online and forced a fresh look at what work-life balance really means in today’s India.
The company’s LinkedIn job questionnaire made this clear: “Would you be comfortable with (12 hours a day, 6 days a week) culture from the office without ifs and buts? It is similar to SF tech culture, work hard, and fast growth. 12 hours a day, 6 days a week is common.” The message? This isn’t just a job, it’s a full-time grind with no breaks allowed.
A Reddit user who shared the screenshot summed it up with sharp wit: “While we fight for more work-life balance, companies like this are moving in the exact opposite direction. If this is the norm in SF, then please pay us also salaries equivalent to SF salaries and give us offices that justify us working 72 hours without ifs and buts. This one was truly hilarious. I don’t even want to check their Glassdoor page.”
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the average Indian employee already works 46.7 hours weekly, ranking India among countries with some of the longest working hours worldwide. Over half the workforce clocks more than 49 hours per week, so demanding 72 hours pushes even further into intense territory.
The online response was quick and candid, mixing sarcasm with frustration: “They are at least honest with their stupidity,” “I have been hired for one such organisation. They would say stuff like ‘If the candidate is negotiating, then we don’t want them to join us,’” “Candidate: What do you want from me in exchange for Salary? Company: Your Soul,” “They take Yes for desperate candidates; nobody in their right mind is going to say Yes,” and “Post the job link, let me put in No as well.” One comment stood out: “I HATE these company that will term these atrocious expectations in a ‘hustle culture work hard slay hard’ SO MUCH.”
These reactions highlight a deeper issue—without strong labour protections and with unemployment high, many workers feel trapped, accepting harsh conditions just to keep their jobs. The power imbalance means that such demands often go unchallenged.
This case should be a wake-up call for employers to rethink what true productivity means. Working longer hours isn’t the answer if it sacrifices employee health and happiness. Sustainable work environments that respect personal time are essential not just for individuals, but for businesses aiming for real, long-term growth.
As India continues to develop economically, it’s crucial that the work culture evolves beyond glorifying nonstop hustle. Perhaps the future lies not in longer hours, but smarter, healthier work practices—where employees are valued, not drained.
