An Indian founder has sparked a heated debate on work-life balance after advocating for “80-hour work weeks” as the minimum standard for success. Based in the United States, the entrepreneur argued that
a 14-hour daily grind should be seen as the “baseline” for building transformative, globally impactful products.
In a now-viral post, Neha Suresh shared a video of herself working long hours and wrote, “If you’re not spending 14+ hours a day working on your dream you’re ngmi. You can’t build a world-changing product on 9–5 energy. 80-hour weeks aren’t extreme. It’s baseline.”
If you're not spending 14+ hours a day working on your dream you're ngmi.
You can’t build a world-changing product on 9–5 energy.
80-hour weeks aren’t extreme. It's baseline. pic.twitter.com/6lTxrqUxJZ
— Neha (@Neha_Suresh_M) July 31, 2025
Indian Founder’s 80-Hour Work Week Suggestion Draws Criticism
At a time when many companies are reworking their culture and schedules to prioritise employee well-being and mental health, the Indian-origin US founder’s post struck a wrong chord online. Her call for an 80-hour work week drew sharp backlash, with users slamming it as “toxic,” “unrealistic,” and “deeply unhealthy.”
Neha Suresh’s post quickly gained traction online, racking up over 85,000 views and sparking heated debate. Users were quick to call out the unsustainable nature of such an intense work culture, with many urging the founder to prioritise her own downtime, mental health, and productivity instead of glorifying exhaustion.
Here’s How The Internet Reacted
“And extremely unsustainable. Please get some sun, exercise and sleep as well. You will be surprised how productive that makes you,” a user wrote.
Another said, “I burned out chasing 80-hour weeks. Found I actually build better products when I’m rested and thinking clearly.”
“Simply not sustainable! Plus, your employees will not be paid enough to work 80+ hours per week! If this applies only to you, founders, then it’s ok. At the end of the day, you will take the majority of the money! Doing a venture is your choice, and I respect that, but do not generalise an 80-hour per week work culture!” someone else pointed out.
“I love the passion and dedication you bring to your dreams, Neha, though I’m not sure 14 hours a day is sustainable for everyone, and maybe world-changing products can be built on different types of energy, not just the 9–5 or 80-hour kind,” said a user in more polite remarks.
Many business owners and corporate giants have called for extensive work shifts in the recent past and faced criticism for suggesting productivity should be prioritised above anything else, even as India gradually shifts towards a more understanding and employee-friendly work culture, which is better for everyone in the long run.
