In the world of startups, long hours and high-pressure schedules are nothing new. But a 22-year-old CEO has taken that to the extreme—publicly announcing his company’s 80-hour workweek requirement and openly stating, “We don’t offer work-life balance.” The bold approach has set off a firestorm of praise, criticism, and even personal threats.
A Young CEO Ignites Debate
Daksh Gupta, the founder of Greptile, a San Francisco–based software company, made waves after revealing that each new hire at his firm is explicitly warned about 80-hour work weeks. Typical days, he says, start around 9 a.m. and often run until 11 p.m. or later, with regular weekend shifts. He also freely admits the environment is “very stressful” and warns that “mediocre work is not tolerated.”
“We Don’t Offer Work-Life Balance”
The public uproar began when Gupta’s post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) went viral. His rationale is simple: potential employees deserve transparency. Anyone who’s unwilling to commit to marathon shifts shouldn’t even apply. While some admire his candor, others view it as a blatant disregard for employee well-being.
In a subsequent interview, Gupta contended that “long hours are essential” to stay ahead in a cutthroat marketplace. According to him, nobody remembers the “second-best or third-best company” in a competitive field.
Handling the Backlash
The backlash was immediate—Gupta reported receiving scathing emails, harsh critiques, and even death threats. Ironically, he claims about 80% of the messages he’s received also include job inquiries. Critics argue that his policies are exploitative, especially given increasing concerns over burnout and mental health. Research from organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA) consistently links excessive work hours to physical and emotional strain.
Inside Greptile’s Culture
Founded in 2023, Greptile specializes in an artificial intelligence assistant for software developers, helping them understand and navigate large codebases. Gupta believes that success in such a crowded tech environment demands an all-or-nothing approach—workdays well into the night and minimal downtime on weekends.
“It’s an extremely competitive space. If you’re not fully committed, you’ll get left behind,” he insists.
A Glimpse of the Future?
As heated reactions continue, questions remain about whether this model is sustainable. Some believe round-the-clock schedules can yield rapid innovation, while others see it as a recipe for employee burnout. Regardless, Gupta’s stance—“We don’t offer work-life balance”—has sparked a global conversation about what’s fair, what’s feasible, and what defines true success in tech.