Veeba, a popular sauce brand, has taken a bold step by reducing its workweek to 40 hours. At a time when many business leaders are promoting 70-hour or even 90-hour workweeks, Veeba’s Founder and Managing Director, Viraj Bahl, has openly criticized long working hours. He believes it is unfair to expect employees to work excessively without proper rewards.
- In a podcast with Chitrangada Singh, Bahl rejected the idea of forcing employees to work long hours.
- He explained that while founders may work extra hours because they benefit the most financially, employees should not be expected to do the same without proper compensation.
- Unlike industry leaders like Narayana Murthy and L&T’s SN Subrahmanyan, who support long workweeks, Bahl believes this approach is outdated and unsustainable.
Bahl also shared his views on hustle culture, which is often glorified in business circles. He agrees that working hard is necessary when starting a business but says it is not sustainable in the long run.
- He believes that once a company stabilizes, leaders should shift from constant hustle to a more structured and strategic approach.
- He warns that extreme work pressure can harm both employees and businesses, making it difficult to retain top talent.
- According to Bahl, true success comes from balancing ambition with a sustainable work culture.
Viraj Bahl has a deep understanding of the food industry, as he was exposed to it early through his father’s business, Fun Foods. However, his father, Rajiv Bahl, wanted him to prove his ability to survive on his own.
- Viraj pursued marine engineering in Singapore and secured a high-paying job in the merchant navy, earning Rs 3 lakh per month by 2002.
- This achievement earned his father’s approval, allowing him to return to the family business.
- He played a key role in Fun Foods’ success, but in 2008, his father sold the company to Germany’s Dr. Oetker against his wishes.
After Fun Foods was sold, Viraj started his own restaurant chain, Pocket Full, in 2009. However, by 2013, all six outlets had shut down, leading to a major setback.
- Instead of giving up, he and his wife sold their house to fund a new business.
- He returned to his expertise and launched Veeba Foods in 2013 in Neemrana, Rajasthan.
- Veeba initially supplied sauces and condiments to fast-food chains but later expanded to consumers, becoming a leading brand in India’s FMCG sector.
“Company culture isn’t about long hours—it’s about treating employees fairly,” Bahl believes. His decision to implement a 40-hour workweek challenges traditional business norms, proving that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of employee well-being.
