Hi All,
Letter from N R Narayana Murthy on working late.
To: Dear All,
It's half past 8 in the office but the lights are still on... PCs still running, coffee machines still buzzing... and who's at work? Most of them??? Take a closer look... All or most specimens are??-something male species of the human race... Look closer... again all or most of them are bachelors... and why are they sitting late? Working hard? No way!!! Any guesses???
Let's ask one of them... Here's what he says... "What's there 2 do after going home... here we get to surf, AC, phone, food, coffee... that is why I am working late... importantly no boss!
This is the scene in most research centers and software companies and other off-shore offices. Bachelors "time-passing" during late hours in the office just because they say they've nothing else to do... Now what are the consequences... read on... "Working" (for the record only) late hours soon becomes part of the institute or company culture. With bosses more than eager to provide support to those "working" late in the form of taxi vouchers, food vouchers and of course good feedback, (oh, he's a hard worker... goes home only to change..!!). They aren't helping things too... To hell with bosses who don't understand the difference between "sitting" late and "working" late!!!
Very soon, the boss starts expecting all employees to put in extra working hours. So, My dear Bachelors let me tell you, life changes when you get married and start having a family... office is no longer a priority, family is... and that's when the problem starts... because you start having commitments at home too.
For your boss, the earlier "hardworking" guy suddenly seems to become an "early leaver" even if you leave an hour after regular time... after doing the same amount of work.
People leaving on time after doing their tasks for the day are labeled as work-shirkers...
Girls who thankfully always (it's changing nowadays... though) leave on time are labeled as "not up to it". All the while, the bachelors pat their own backs and carry on "working" not realizing that they are spoiling the work culture at their own place and never realize that they would have to regret at one point of time.
So what's the moral of the story??
Very clear, LEAVE ON TIME!!!
Never put in extra time "unless really needed"
Don't stay back unnecessarily and spoil your company work culture which will in turn cause inconvenience to you and your colleagues.
There are hundred other things to do in the evening... Learn music... Learn a foreign language... try a sport... TT, cricket... Importantly get a girlfriend or boyfriend, take him/her around town... and for heaven's sake net cafe rates have dropped to an all-time low (plus, no firewalls) and try cooking for a change.
Take a tip from the Smirnoff ad: "Life's calling, where are you?"
Please pass on this message to all those colleagues and please do it before leaving time, don't stay back till midnight to forward this!!!
IT'S A TYPICAL INDIAN MENTALITY THAT WORKING FOR LONG HOURS MEANS VERY HARD WORKING & 100% COMMITMENT ETC.
PEOPLE WHO REGULARLY SIT LATE IN THE OFFICE DON'T KNOW TO MANAGE THEIR TIME.
Regards
Ritu07
From India, Meerut
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3Letter from N R Narayana Murthy on working late.
To: Dear All,
It's half past 8 in the office but the lights are still on... PCs still running, coffee machines still buzzing... and who's at work? Most of them??? Take a closer look... All or most specimens are??-something male species of the human race... Look closer... again all or most of them are bachelors... and why are they sitting late? Working hard? No way!!! Any guesses???
Let's ask one of them... Here's what he says... "What's there 2 do after going home... here we get to surf, AC, phone, food, coffee... that is why I am working late... importantly no boss!
This is the scene in most research centers and software companies and other off-shore offices. Bachelors "time-passing" during late hours in the office just because they say they've nothing else to do... Now what are the consequences... read on... "Working" (for the record only) late hours soon becomes part of the institute or company culture. With bosses more than eager to provide support to those "working" late in the form of taxi vouchers, food vouchers and of course good feedback, (oh, he's a hard worker... goes home only to change..!!). They aren't helping things too... To hell with bosses who don't understand the difference between "sitting" late and "working" late!!!
Very soon, the boss starts expecting all employees to put in extra working hours. So, My dear Bachelors let me tell you, life changes when you get married and start having a family... office is no longer a priority, family is... and that's when the problem starts... because you start having commitments at home too.
For your boss, the earlier "hardworking" guy suddenly seems to become an "early leaver" even if you leave an hour after regular time... after doing the same amount of work.
People leaving on time after doing their tasks for the day are labeled as work-shirkers...
Girls who thankfully always (it's changing nowadays... though) leave on time are labeled as "not up to it". All the while, the bachelors pat their own backs and carry on "working" not realizing that they are spoiling the work culture at their own place and never realize that they would have to regret at one point of time.
So what's the moral of the story??
Very clear, LEAVE ON TIME!!!
Never put in extra time "unless really needed"
Don't stay back unnecessarily and spoil your company work culture which will in turn cause inconvenience to you and your colleagues.
There are hundred other things to do in the evening... Learn music... Learn a foreign language... try a sport... TT, cricket... Importantly get a girlfriend or boyfriend, take him/her around town... and for heaven's sake net cafe rates have dropped to an all-time low (plus, no firewalls) and try cooking for a change.
Take a tip from the Smirnoff ad: "Life's calling, where are you?"
Please pass on this message to all those colleagues and please do it before leaving time, don't stay back till midnight to forward this!!!
IT'S A TYPICAL INDIAN MENTALITY THAT WORKING FOR LONG HOURS MEANS VERY HARD WORKING & 100% COMMITMENT ETC.
PEOPLE WHO REGULARLY SIT LATE IN THE OFFICE DON'T KNOW TO MANAGE THEIR TIME.
Regards
Ritu07
From India, Meerut
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Hi Ritu, Tell Mr.Narayanamurthy, that If at all he hadn’t worked late during his days, he wouldn’t have had Infosys in his hand now :lol: Roopa
From India, Bangalore
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From India, Bangalore
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I totally agree with the author. However, in most organizational cultures, it is hard to justify for anyone who leaves on time that he has put in all his effort up to the organization's standard. Bachelors are not the only late sitters! Even married people avoid going home on time for reasons best known to them.
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Hi,
Indeed, it is very nice information for the employees. Unless you have work, please do not stay at the work spot. After doing this, we are incurring additional expenses like electricity, food, water, etc.
Very good information for all.
Raj
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Indeed, it is very nice information for the employees. Unless you have work, please do not stay at the work spot. After doing this, we are incurring additional expenses like electricity, food, water, etc.
Very good information for all.
Raj
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Agree with Roopa that its easy to sermonize now. I am told by friends that the Infy culture is to show that we are working- so staying till late is encouraged at various levels.
From India, Pune
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From India, Pune
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Hey Everybody,
I guess we all identify with this topic because we see many such people around.
Hey Roopa,
I guess you are right, but I think Mr. Murthy here is talking about sitting back late for no good reason. He might have had a reason and maybe worked well and big enough to stay back.
Cheers!
Ritu07
From India, Meerut
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I guess we all identify with this topic because we see many such people around.
Hey Roopa,
I guess you are right, but I think Mr. Murthy here is talking about sitting back late for no good reason. He might have had a reason and maybe worked well and big enough to stay back.
Cheers!
Ritu07
From India, Meerut
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It is true. While planning to sit late, ask yourself the simple question: Is it necessary? Whether the work proposed to be done during extra hours cannot be postponed till tomorrow. If it cannot be postponed till tomorrow, then it is worth doing during late hours. In my opinion, habitual latecomers and late-goers both spoil the working atmosphere and should be discouraged.
Deepak Thukral
Chandigarh
From India, Chandigarh
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Deepak Thukral
Chandigarh
From India, Chandigarh
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(Fact Checked)-The user's reply aligns with the importance of questioning the necessity of working late and discouraging habitual latecomers. Encouragement for a healthy work-life balance is evident. (1 Acknowledge point)
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Hi,
I am writing to you about the letter from Narayan Murthy. I also work in a software company in Hyderabad. When I forwarded it to some friends of mine (as it seemed like a very interesting read), I was informed that it is fake. Apparently, the letter has been circulating since 2005.
I am curious to know your views on this matter and where you obtained the letter from.
Thanks,
Sriparna
Email: ksriparna@yahoo.com
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I am writing to you about the letter from Narayan Murthy. I also work in a software company in Hyderabad. When I forwarded it to some friends of mine (as it seemed like a very interesting read), I was informed that it is fake. Apparently, the letter has been circulating since 2005.
I am curious to know your views on this matter and where you obtained the letter from.
Thanks,
Sriparna
Email: ksriparna@yahoo.com
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(Fact Checked)-[response] The letter from Narayana Murthy is not fake; it has been circulating since 2005. The content highlights the importance of work-life balance and leaving on time to maintain a healthy work culture. (1 Acknowledge point)
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Today, I just got this from one of my colleagues. I absolutely disagree with this. There are people who are really contributing and giving a lot of commitment. I think the contributor is not at all having any work. During office hours, these kinds of people are circulating/forwarding unnecessary emails like this without doing their work. Then, definitely, the people who are dedicated are overloaded, and in turn, they need to extend their hours to complete the work.
Moreover, nowadays, no bachelor is spending time in the office unnecessarily and concentrating on other things like getting a girlfriend, etc., as mentioned by the contributor. I don't think this is a letter from Mr. Murthy.
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Moreover, nowadays, no bachelor is spending time in the office unnecessarily and concentrating on other things like getting a girlfriend, etc., as mentioned by the contributor. I don't think this is a letter from Mr. Murthy.
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Hi Ritu,
Nice story, but at the same time, everyone is in a hurry to grow fast in their careers, and at the end of the day, all that matters is the point game to impress the bosses. If such practices exist in any organization, it raises a question mark on leadership because leaders should be aware of any extra time worked. If they are not monitoring it, then it becomes a serious concern because such unproductive hours affect the P&L of the account.
Unnecessarily, lights are on.
AC is on.
Systems are on.
At the same time, staff also do not get sufficient time to relax, and other coworkers are also affected by these overworking individuals, thus affecting productivity.
In conclusion, the story is interesting, and all organizations should reflect on it.
From Taiwan,
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Nice story, but at the same time, everyone is in a hurry to grow fast in their careers, and at the end of the day, all that matters is the point game to impress the bosses. If such practices exist in any organization, it raises a question mark on leadership because leaders should be aware of any extra time worked. If they are not monitoring it, then it becomes a serious concern because such unproductive hours affect the P&L of the account.
Unnecessarily, lights are on.
AC is on.
Systems are on.
At the same time, staff also do not get sufficient time to relax, and other coworkers are also affected by these overworking individuals, thus affecting productivity.
In conclusion, the story is interesting, and all organizations should reflect on it.
From Taiwan,
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Please be careful of what you share because just because it comes from someone who has excelled in one area does not necessarily mean that they are an expert in everything else.
Here is how I am going to show you and seek your views of the same.
In another continent while deploying Lean Six Sigma (LSS), we found that the managers were sitting at the desk during the morning production hours, checking emails, or surfing the internet, causing the division to lose productivity. One of our Lean experts went over and asked the employees (with senior executive sponsorship and approval) to remove all the chairs.
The next day, the managers only spent the time they needed at their desks and then proceeded to the production floor to execute their jobs, as this was an underground mining organization. Consequently, productivity shot up as the root cause was entirely eliminated.
Infosys Situation:
Dear Mr. Murthy,
Congratulations on your achievements in your field. With all humility and respect, here is my suggestion for you to consider:
Asking the employees to leave early is like nailing jello to the wall; it is not likely to work nor will it sustain well. The managers under the senior executives created this culture, leading employees, regardless of gender or marital status, to work late or stay late. One astute office manager and senior executive, tired of repeating the same message and expecting different results, termed it as insanity. He devised a simple solution - turning off the lights and power using the appropriate breaker switch that maintained minimum lighting for safety but cut out the internet connection, PC monitors, and telephone links.
The results obtained were groundbreaking in the company's history. People adapted to the new environment, understanding when to start and finish work. Providing excessive infrastructural support often leads to its abuse.
Mr. Murthy, instead of lecturing employees on criteria to follow at Infosys, consider eliminating the root cause of this behavior and removing managers who promote or encourage such conduct among the younger generation.
What you are endorsing is "Defect Sub Optimization," where you attempt to fix the issue by applying a band-aid solution. Band-aid fixes are merely symptomatic and temporary, destined to weaken over time, leading to a regression or worsening of the problem. Identify the root cause and eliminate it. As a CEO with the authority to make decisions, act accordingly without burdening the employees.
You are a successful CEO with significant achievements. You can suggest leaving or working elsewhere. However, envision a scenario where everyone adopts the same attitude - they wouldn't be working for you. These younger engineers require mentorship, trust, and guidance reflecting wisdom rather than mere tough words of quitting if they fail to meet criteria. Why allow room for failure when you can implement Poke-Yoke to prevent disasters? This approach can enhance their health and longevity.
Furthermore, this action would bolster Infosys' brand as a pioneering company in the new millennium, fostering high retention rates among high-performing employees.
Now, take action, eliminating the need for a speech!
Dr. Shree
From United States, Livermore
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Here is how I am going to show you and seek your views of the same.
In another continent while deploying Lean Six Sigma (LSS), we found that the managers were sitting at the desk during the morning production hours, checking emails, or surfing the internet, causing the division to lose productivity. One of our Lean experts went over and asked the employees (with senior executive sponsorship and approval) to remove all the chairs.
The next day, the managers only spent the time they needed at their desks and then proceeded to the production floor to execute their jobs, as this was an underground mining organization. Consequently, productivity shot up as the root cause was entirely eliminated.
Infosys Situation:
Dear Mr. Murthy,
Congratulations on your achievements in your field. With all humility and respect, here is my suggestion for you to consider:
Asking the employees to leave early is like nailing jello to the wall; it is not likely to work nor will it sustain well. The managers under the senior executives created this culture, leading employees, regardless of gender or marital status, to work late or stay late. One astute office manager and senior executive, tired of repeating the same message and expecting different results, termed it as insanity. He devised a simple solution - turning off the lights and power using the appropriate breaker switch that maintained minimum lighting for safety but cut out the internet connection, PC monitors, and telephone links.
The results obtained were groundbreaking in the company's history. People adapted to the new environment, understanding when to start and finish work. Providing excessive infrastructural support often leads to its abuse.
Mr. Murthy, instead of lecturing employees on criteria to follow at Infosys, consider eliminating the root cause of this behavior and removing managers who promote or encourage such conduct among the younger generation.
What you are endorsing is "Defect Sub Optimization," where you attempt to fix the issue by applying a band-aid solution. Band-aid fixes are merely symptomatic and temporary, destined to weaken over time, leading to a regression or worsening of the problem. Identify the root cause and eliminate it. As a CEO with the authority to make decisions, act accordingly without burdening the employees.
You are a successful CEO with significant achievements. You can suggest leaving or working elsewhere. However, envision a scenario where everyone adopts the same attitude - they wouldn't be working for you. These younger engineers require mentorship, trust, and guidance reflecting wisdom rather than mere tough words of quitting if they fail to meet criteria. Why allow room for failure when you can implement Poke-Yoke to prevent disasters? This approach can enhance their health and longevity.
Furthermore, this action would bolster Infosys' brand as a pioneering company in the new millennium, fostering high retention rates among high-performing employees.
Now, take action, eliminating the need for a speech!
Dr. Shree
From United States, Livermore
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Open letter – recipe for turning around Infosys and motivating employees
Remove all the 4 digit employee number employees. These represent emplyees who got into Infosys at a time when Infosys was not a recognized company and hence Infosys would have recruited sub standard talent. Unfortunately these people are now in senior positions and spoiling the company. These people don’t even have basic etiquettes and presentation and communication skills.
Stop the culture of appreciating managers who encourage working late and encourage work from home
Penalize employees who work from home
Ensure managers donot call employees after office hours or during lunch break
Organize a poll to identify the managers who are encouraging a culture of staying late and slogging and then systematically remove them
Reward managers who “work smart” rather than managers who “make employees slog”
Donot promote managers just because you need to retain them. Check with their reportees whether that manager is required
Have formalized anonymous feedback for every manager
From India, Bangalore
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Remove all the 4 digit employee number employees. These represent emplyees who got into Infosys at a time when Infosys was not a recognized company and hence Infosys would have recruited sub standard talent. Unfortunately these people are now in senior positions and spoiling the company. These people don’t even have basic etiquettes and presentation and communication skills.
Stop the culture of appreciating managers who encourage working late and encourage work from home
Penalize employees who work from home
Ensure managers donot call employees after office hours or during lunch break
Organize a poll to identify the managers who are encouraging a culture of staying late and slogging and then systematically remove them
Reward managers who “work smart” rather than managers who “make employees slog”
Donot promote managers just because you need to retain them. Check with their reportees whether that manager is required
Have formalized anonymous feedback for every manager
From India, Bangalore
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Open letter – recipe for turning around Infosys and motivating employees
Remove all the 4 digit employee number employees. These represent emplyees who got into Infosys at a time when Infosys was not a recognized company and hence Infosys would have recruited sub standard talent. Unfortunately these people are now in senior positions and spoiling the company. These people don’t even have basic etiquettes and presentation and communication skills.
Stop the culture of appreciating managers who encourage working late and encourage work from home
Penalize employees who work from home
Ensure managers donot call employees after office hours or during lunch break
Organize a poll to identify the managers who are encouraging a culture of staying late and slogging and then systematically remove them
Reward managers who “work smart” rather than managers who “make employees slog”
Donot promote managers just because you need to retain them. Check with their reportees whether that manager is required
Have formalized anonymous feedback for every manager
Managers stop sending appreciation emails appreciating employees who have worked on weekends and late nights
From India, Bangalore
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Remove all the 4 digit employee number employees. These represent emplyees who got into Infosys at a time when Infosys was not a recognized company and hence Infosys would have recruited sub standard talent. Unfortunately these people are now in senior positions and spoiling the company. These people don’t even have basic etiquettes and presentation and communication skills.
Stop the culture of appreciating managers who encourage working late and encourage work from home
Penalize employees who work from home
Ensure managers donot call employees after office hours or during lunch break
Organize a poll to identify the managers who are encouraging a culture of staying late and slogging and then systematically remove them
Reward managers who “work smart” rather than managers who “make employees slog”
Donot promote managers just because you need to retain them. Check with their reportees whether that manager is required
Have formalized anonymous feedback for every manager
Managers stop sending appreciation emails appreciating employees who have worked on weekends and late nights
From India, Bangalore
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Hello,
Thank you very much, sir, for sharing your insights with us. I completely agree with you not just because you are the founder of this company, but because you are right about this. People are working hard just to impress the boss, forgetting that only nights are passing, and the evenings are slipping away from our lives. If I were to work in your company as an employee (if given the opportunity), I would definitely not work late hours if not necessary.
Thank you very much again.
Hemant Sharma
IT Engineer
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Thank you very much, sir, for sharing your insights with us. I completely agree with you not just because you are the founder of this company, but because you are right about this. People are working hard just to impress the boss, forgetting that only nights are passing, and the evenings are slipping away from our lives. If I were to work in your company as an employee (if given the opportunity), I would definitely not work late hours if not necessary.
Thank you very much again.
Hemant Sharma
IT Engineer
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I think people are missing the points mentioned in the mail. It's not against working, it's against sitting unnecessarily in the office and wasting resources.
@ROOPABNR: It may be a hoax or it can be real, but "Tell Mr. Narayanamurthy" shows a lot of disrespect for a respected man like him. Sorry, but this is not the way to refer to great people who have achieved a lot through their hard work. The mail states "Never put in extra time unless really needed"...so that explains everything I guess...
@VISH_MR82: Maybe it's not from Narayan Murthy, but before giving a definite statement such as "nowadays no bachelor is spending time in the office" we need to think once and shouldn't be judgmental so easily. I have been with a startup for the past 6 years, and during this period, I have come across people who simply sit in the office because they don't have anything to do at home, or to be precise, free internet is always good to surf.
Since we run a company, we know how important it is to save company resources (which include electricity, food, cabs, bandwidth, etc.), and we also know how important it is to finish work when we are committed to clients. There comes the question of staying at the office and working late nights. It's always a good practice to come to the office on time, finish the given work, leave on time, and have a healthy personal life too...
From India, Bangalore
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@ROOPABNR: It may be a hoax or it can be real, but "Tell Mr. Narayanamurthy" shows a lot of disrespect for a respected man like him. Sorry, but this is not the way to refer to great people who have achieved a lot through their hard work. The mail states "Never put in extra time unless really needed"...so that explains everything I guess...
@VISH_MR82: Maybe it's not from Narayan Murthy, but before giving a definite statement such as "nowadays no bachelor is spending time in the office" we need to think once and shouldn't be judgmental so easily. I have been with a startup for the past 6 years, and during this period, I have come across people who simply sit in the office because they don't have anything to do at home, or to be precise, free internet is always good to surf.
Since we run a company, we know how important it is to save company resources (which include electricity, food, cabs, bandwidth, etc.), and we also know how important it is to finish work when we are committed to clients. There comes the question of staying at the office and working late nights. It's always a good practice to come to the office on time, finish the given work, leave on time, and have a healthy personal life too...
From India, Bangalore
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(Fact Checked)-The user reply is generally correct in emphasizing the importance of not sitting unnecessarily in the office and wasting resources, as mentioned in the original post. However, there is no specific mention in the original post about disrespect towards Mr. Narayanamurthy. The user's point about saving company resources, finishing work on time, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance aligns with best practices. (1 Acknowledge point)
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No more working till late hours.doc
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(Fact Checked)-The user's reply aligns with the importance of leaving work on time to maintain a healthy work-life balance and not incur unnecessary expenses. The emphasis on managing time effectively is crucial. (1 Acknowledge point)