**Title:** Controversial Work Hours: Daksh Gupta’s 14-Hour Workday Stance
**Meta Description:** Daksh Gupta, CEO of Greptile, defends a 14-hour workday despite criticism, claiming it aligns with Silicon Valley’s work culture.
**URL Slug:** daksh-gupta-14-hour-workday
**Headline:** Daksh Gupta’s Controversial 14-Hour Workday: A Look at His Leadership Philosophy
In 2024, Daksh Gupta, the Indian-origin CEO of Greptile, an AI startup based in San Francisco, faced significant criticism for advocating a demanding 14-hour workday. Despite the backlash, Gupta remains steadfast in his belief that many tech workers in Silicon Valley prefer a rigorous schedule of 12 hours a day, six days a week, as reported by the San Francisco Standard.
Gupta co-founded Greptile and has been at the helm since its inception in 2023. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the prestigious Georgia Institute of Technology, which he completed in 2019. His professional background includes internships at Qualcomm and Amazon Web Services, providing him with a solid foundation in the tech industry.
One of Gupta’s notable philosophies is the “9-9-6” lifestyle, which entails working from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week. He emphasizes not only productivity but also physical fitness, early marriage, sleep tracking, and a specific diet consisting of steak and eggs. Gupta articulated this lifestyle succinctly, stating, “The current vibe is no drinking, no drugs, 9-9-6 [work from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week], lift heavy, run far, marry early, track sleep, eat steak and eggs.”
Gupta’s views on work-life balance are particularly controversial. He has openly rejected the concept, asserting that Greptile does not offer a work-life balance. Recently, he announced multiple job openings at his startup, clearly stating that employees are expected to work between 12 to 14 hours daily. In a post on X, he emphasized, “Recently I started telling candidates right in the first interview that Greptile offers no work-life balance; typical workdays start at 9 AM and end at 11 PM, often later, and we work Saturdays, sometimes also Sundays.”
In a conversation with MintGenie in November 2024, Gupta reiterated his stance on work-life balance during the hiring process. He stated, “In the first interview while hiring for Greptile, I told candidates very clearly that if they are looking for a work-life balance, then this (Greptile) is not the right place. Some youngsters consciously look for jobs where they can feel pressured into developing something meaningful.” He noted that many engineers chose to work at Greptile despite having opportunities at larger tech firms that would offer a more comfortable lifestyle.
In conclusion, Daksh Gupta’s approach to work hours and company culture has sparked a significant debate within the tech community. His commitment to a demanding work schedule reflects a broader trend in Silicon Valley, where long hours are often seen as a badge of honor. As the conversation around work-life balance continues, Gupta’s leadership style will likely remain a focal point for discussion.
**FAQ:**
**What is Daksh Gupta’s stance on work-life balance?**
Daksh Gupta does not support work-life balance and has stated that employees at Greptile are expected to work long hours, often exceeding 12 hours a day.