The debate over work-life balance in corporate India has found a new flashpoint, with Aadit Palicha, the co-founder of quick commerce giant Zepto, taking a subtle dig at the concept. His remarks come amid allegations of toxic work culture at the company, sparking discussions across social media platforms.
Credits: NDTV Profit
Palicha’s Statement: A Provocation or Perspective?
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Palicha quipped, “I have nothing against work-life balance. In fact, I recommend it to all our competitors.” He attributed the line to Daksh Gupta, the 23-year-old founder of San Francisco-based startup Greptile, who recently faced backlash for stating that his company doesn’t prioritize work-life balance.
Palicha’s comment comes against the backdrop of ongoing criticism of Zepto’s work culture. An anonymous Reddit post alleged that the company has an unprofessional work environment, unreasonable working hours, and high attrition rates, with claims that 10 employees leave weekly. The post also accused Zepto of employing “dark patterns” in its app to extract money from customers.
While NDTV Profit reached out to Zepto for comments, no response was received at the time of publishing.
A History of Controversial Statements
This isn’t the first time Palicha has stirred conversations about work culture. At the NDTV World Summit in October, he acknowledged Zepto’s grueling working hours, stating that he and his team work 80-100 hours a week. He argued that such dedication stems from passion rather than financial incentives.
“Working 80-100 hours a week, we could have probably worked half of that with a lot less stress. At a certain point, money becomes inconsequential. We love what we’re building, we work like crazy, and we’re genuinely so excited about what we’re creating,” he said.
Palicha’s stance mirrors that of Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy, who earlier this year advocated for a 70-hour work week to boost productivity. While Murthy’s statement found support in some quarters, it also drew widespread criticism, particularly from younger workers who prioritize work-life balance.
The Allegations Against Zepto
The anonymous Reddit post detailed claims of an unhealthy work environment at Zepto, including:
Long Hours: Employees allegedly endure unreasonable working hours.
Attrition: The post claimed that around 10 employees leave the company every week.
Unprofessionalism: Allegations of unprofessional behavior and lack of respect for boundaries were also made.
Customer Exploitation: The post accused Zepto of using manipulative app features to extract money from customers.
These accusations paint a troubling picture of the company’s internal practices. Critics argue that the high-pressure environment, as endorsed by its leadership, may be contributing to these issues.
The Bigger Picture: Work-Life Balance in Corporate India
The debate over work-life balance has intensified in India, with corporate leaders and employees divided on the issue. Advocates for long working hours, like Murthy and Palicha, believe that building great companies requires extraordinary dedication and sacrifices.
However, opponents argue that such a culture is unsustainable, leading to burnout, high attrition, and diminishing productivity over time. As the younger workforce increasingly prioritizes mental health and personal time, the pushback against long work hours has gained momentum.
Balancing Passion and Productivity
While Palicha and others highlight passion as the driving force behind their intense work schedules, critics emphasize that passion cannot justify toxic environments. Many suggest that sustainable success requires companies to foster a balanced and respectful workplace culture.
For Zepto, the stakes are high. The quick commerce industry thrives on efficiency and rapid execution, but it also faces intense scrutiny over worker welfare. If the allegations against Zepto are true, they could tarnish the company’s reputation and affect its ambitious growth plans.
What’s Next for Zepto?
Zepto’s leadership now faces a critical moment to address these allegations and demonstrate its commitment to a positive work culture. Transparent communication, an internal audit, and meaningful reforms could help restore confidence among employees and stakeholders.
As corporate India grapples with the evolving expectations of its workforce, the debate over work-life balance continues to rage. Whether companies like Zepto adapt or persist with their high-pressure cultures will likely shape the future of work in the country.
For now, Palicha’s remarks have reignited a fiery conversation about the trade-offs between ambition and balance, leaving many to question where the line should be drawn.
