Genpact’s 10-Hour workday policy sparks uproar, company says ‘Still 9 Hours’

Genpact found itself at the centre of controversy after employees alleged that the company had begun enforcing an unofficial 10-hour workday across some teams, particularly in its Hyderabad office. Workers reported that managers were pressuring teams to log extended hours tracked through internal systems, with warnings that non-compliance could affect bonuses and appraisals.

This change, they claimed, was introduced without any formal communication or salary revision. The backlash was swift and vocal. Employees took to Reddit and LinkedIn, criticizing what they described as “surveillance-driven productivity” and calling out the policy’s impact on mental health, work-life balance, and fairness especially when 70% of the workforce reportedly earns under ₹10 lakh annually. As the issue gained traction in the media, Genpact issued a clarification stating that its official workday remains nine hours, and that no formal policy had been revised. However, the damage was already done, with the episode sparking broader concerns about transparency, coercive workplace practices, and the widening disconnect between corporate expectations and employee well-being.