Digital Slavery? Genpact Faces Backlash As 10-Hour Workday Sparks Anxiety, Social Media Uproar

Instead of being communicated through official human resource channels, the information was reportedly passed along informally by managers and team leads.

Amid growing unease, several employees have turned to social media to express their concerns and frustrations.

Source : Freepik

Genpact has reportedly rolled out a controversial policy mandating employees to clock in 10 hours of work each day, as reported. This directive, scheduled to be implemented from mid-June, has already sparked significant debate, media reports said.

According to The Financial Express, failure to comply with the extended work hours may subject employees to performance evaluations. While the company is demanding longer working hours, there is reportedly no adjustment to the base salary structure.

The Hindu reported that Genpact plans to employ an internal monitoring tool to track staff productivity, measuring the number of active hours logged during the workday.

Incentives Offered Amid Mounting Concerns

To encourage adherence, Genpact has introduced an incentive system wherein employees who meet the daily 10-hour target can earn up to 500 points monthly. These points can be redeemed for financial rewards amounting to Rs 3,000. Furthermore, the report mentions that employees will receive an additional bonus of 5 per cent—approximately Rs 150—for every extra hour worked beyond the mandatory schedule.

However, these financial incentives have done little to ease growing dissatisfaction among employees, particularly at the company's Hyderabad office. The atmosphere, according to the report, has become increasingly strained, with morale reportedly plummeting.

Lack of Clear Communication Fuels Tension

One of the primary concerns stems from how the policy was introduced to staff. Instead of being communicated through official human resource channels, the information was reportedly passed along informally by managers and team leads. This unstructured approach has left many employees confused and anxious.

“There’s nothing on paper. It’s all word of mouth. If anyone challenges it, they’re accused of being difficult and risk termination,” a senior recruitment staffer told The Hindu.

Netizens Question 'Digital Slavery'

Amid growing unease, several employees have turned to social media to express their concerns and frustrations. One assistant manager at Genpact in a post on social networking platform, LinkedIn, questioned, “#For10HrLogin – Is this the new standard or a step backward? As professionals striving for excellence, we’re no strangers to going the extra mile. But mandating a 10-hour login raises some important questions about work-life balance, productivity, and mental health."

Another LinkedIn user, reacting to the post, called the whole exercise an example of 'digital slavery'. "Simply tapping keyboards or clicking a mouse to appear "active" does not equate to genuine productivity. It mirrors a legacy model of digital slavery, not modern work culture. In contrast, western nations adhere to a 40-hour workweek standard, focusing on output and well-being. Why then, is India still enforcing outdated, exploitative time mandates under the guise of productivity?," the user commented.

As discontent spreads, the policy has ignited wider conversations about corporate work culture, employee well-being, and the real cost of productivity in the modern workplace.