Ex Amazon executive Bengaluru team gruelling hours – Ex Amazon executive viral post on Bengaluru tech team gruelling hours sparks debate

Former Amazon executive Adam Broda has sparked debate around work culture in global organisations, with a special focus on the demanding schedules of Indian employees. In a post on LinkedIn, Brodia recalled his time at Amazon and shared his observations of the technical team based in Bengaluru.

Broda also shared an infographic that indicated countries with the longest work hours. India topped the list, according to the graphic.

In his post, Broda revealed how his Indian colleagues consistently worked longer hours compared to their international peers.

“They’d be online when I logged in at 7am, attend staff meetings at 10am, and even join VP-level reviews in the afternoon. Sometimes, I’d see them in meetings at 3am Bengaluru time,” he wrote, adding that he was amazed by their energy and enthusiasm.

While Broda praised the motivation of these employees, he stressed the importance of checking in with teams across time zones to ensure workloads remain manageable.

“Most of them were happy to do it. As if 60-plus hours was totally normal. I witnessed multiple leaders asking why they were on calls at 3am Bangalore time. The explanation would always be the same: ‘We want to be here.’ And they weren’t lying,” he said.

“This is why ‘culture’ will always ‘eat strategy for breakfast’. Employees that are energised and excited to do the work, and given the tools and trust they need to be successful, will almost always outperform those that don’t want to be there,” he added.

He further highlighted that employees might appear willing to work excessive hours but could be silently struggling.

“Frequently ask about hours worked, and how you can better accommodate their needs across the time zone differences. Even if they want to work more hours, that doesn’t always mean they should,” Broda said.

Take a look at the post here;

The post, which garnered hundreds of likes on LinkedIn and went viral on Reddit, sparked debate. While several users appreciated the recognition of Indian workers’ dedication, others criticised the glorification of an unhealthy work-life balance.

“It’s not a good culture. Many need the job so they’ll bend over backwards. It’s sad, actually. What happened to does work-life balance, or it does not exist in India,” a user said.

Another user added, “The drive and passion employees bring to the table can be a game-changer for a company’s success. However, it’s important to balance the enthusiasm for hard work with sustainable practices to avoid burnout, especially across time zones.”

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While Adam Broda’s post highlighted the resilience and commitment of Indian employees, it also brings to light the urgent need for organisations to address the risks of burnout and create healthier work environments.

As global workplaces continue to evolve, the conversation around balancing efficiency with employee well-being has never been more relevant.