The CEO of Greptile, a San Francisco-based artificial intelligence startup, has sparked widespread controversy after publicly stating that his company operates on an 84-hour workweek model with no room for work-life balance. The remarks shared on the social media platform X, drew sharp criticism from users, who labelled the work environment “toxic.” Amid the backlash, CEO Daksh Gupta claimed he received death threats alongside a wave of job applications.

CEO’s viral post promotes “No work-life balance” policy

Gupta’s post, intended to emphasize the company’s commitment to transparency during hiring, quickly ignited debate. “Recently, I started telling candidates right in the first interview that Greptile offers no work-life balance,” Gupta wrote.

“Typical workdays start at 9 a.m. and end at 11 p.m., often later, and we work Saturdays, sometimes also Sundays. I emphasize the environment is high stress, and there is no tolerance for poor work.” He added that being upfront about these expectations during interviews prevents employees from discovering the intense workload after joining. “Transparency is good,” he wrote, asking other professionals if there were potential drawbacks to this approach.

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Mixed Reactions: Death threats and job interest

Defending the 84-hour model: “This isn’t forever”

Addressing the criticism, Gupta defended his stance, asserting that there are workers who thrive in such high-pressure settings, albeit a minority. “It might be hard to believe, but there exist people that want this,” he wrote. “The transparency exists to identify them.”

He also clarified that the grueling schedule is intended for the early stages of the startup, comparing the intense workload to “reaching escape velocity.” Gupta suggested that as Greptile grows, the company plans to adapt its policies. “As we mature, we’ll hire older, more experienced people who have families and can’t work 100 hours a week, and naturally we would adapt like any good organization.”

In closing, Gupta sought to temper the conversation by noting that his company’s approach is not a one-size-fits-all solution. “This is NOT meant to be prescriptive,” he emphasized, acknowledging that Greptile’s high-stress work environment is not sustainable in the long term.

Ongoing debate about work-life balance in tech

Gupta’s comments have reignited discussions about work-life balance in the tech industry, with many questioning whether startup culture needs to evolve. While his defense highlights the perceived necessity of such practices for early-stage ventures, critics argue that transparency alone does not justify unsustainable expectations. The controversy surrounding Greptile raises larger questions about the future of work in an industry often associated with innovation—and burnout.