'Spending Time With Family...Bla Bla': CEO Slammed For Advising Freshers To Work 18 Hrs A Day

Several social media users slammed the CEO and said that it is because of people like Deshpande that the corporate world has such as toxic work culture.

The entrepreneur also asked young employees to "worship your work". (Representative Image/Getty)

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a personal care and grooming solutions brand recently faced social media ire for suggesting young employees to work at least 17-18 hours a day in the first few years of their career and not crave for work life balance. Shantanu Deshpande, gave this controversial advice through a post on LinkedIn. 

The entrepreneur also asked young employees to "worship your work" and said work-life balance is not important in the early stages of one's career.

"When you are 22 and new in your job, throw yourself into it. Eat well and stay fit, but put in the 18 hour days for at least 4-5 years," his post read.

"I see a LOT of youngsters who watch random content all over and convince themselves that 'work life balance, spending time with family, rejuvenation bla bla' is important. It is, but not that early," Deshpande added further.

"In the early stages of career, employees must "worship" his work and the "flex" built in the first five years carries them for the rest of it, he said. "Don't do random rona-dhona. Take it on the chin and be relentless. You will be way better for it," he further said.

Soon after his post, several social media users slammed the CEO and said that it is because of people like Deshpande that the corporate world has such as toxic work culture.

"At a time when mass layoffs by Indian startups has become a norm, Shantanu Deshpande, Founder CEO of @BombayShavingCo is not only vouching for a toxic work culture, but also justifying himself even after people have called out his opinion on LinkedIn. What do you think about it?," a Twitter user wrote.

At a time when mass layoffs by Indian startups has become a norm, Shantanu Deshpande, Founder CEO of @BombayShavingCo is not only vouching for a toxic work culture, but also justifying himself even after people have called out his opinion on LinkedIn. What do you think about it? pic.twitter.com/JHfWBczAgL

— Anshul (@ansh_isb) August 30, 2022

"18 hours a day for 4-5 years? Will Shantanu Deshpande pay for my therapy, emotional unavailability, several health issues and probably my funeral by the 5th year after I end myself seeing minimal progress in my career under a capitalist and exploitative system?," another user asked.

"Such CEOs and startups are the reason young talent is leaving India in search of better work life balance.What a shame! Shantanu Deshpande of 
@BombayShavingCo is endorsing a toxic work culture. This is nothing but workforce exploitation," a user said.

After facing criticism, Deshpande made some edits in his post and said that "so much hate for 18-hour days" but "it's a proxy for "giving your all and then some". "For those wondering about culture at BSC (Bombay Shaving Company), feel free to come any time or talk to any of our people", he added.