A LinkedIn post by Harry Stebbings sparked a debate among European tech leaders regarding the overworking culture often viewed in Silicon Valley. The post emphasized a seven-days-a-week work schedule as essential for competitiveness. However, many European founders believe this mindset, akin to the demanding 996 work culture popular in China, is overly romanticized and not indicative of effective productivity. Suranga Chandratillake labeled this belief as a "fetishization of overwork" and called for a recognition of balanced work habits. Concerns over the negative impacts on mental health and sustainability of such a culture were voiced by multiple industry experts.
"It's about a fetishization of overwork rather than smart work...it's a myth," Balderton Capital General Partner Suranga Chandratillake stated. "California is very good at telling stories... there is hard work involved but if you really spend time in that ecosystem, you will discover that lots of people work really hard, but there are also periods where they don't work."
"European founders and venture capitalist partners believe the 996 work culture is unnecessary," highlighting the need for balance between hard work and personal well-being.
Bloom Money founder Nina Mohanty remarked on the "lasting effects and unintended consequences" of an exaggerated work culture, signaling concerns over its impacts on mental health.
Husmus co-founder Sarah Wernér and Bethnal Green Ventures Partner Dama Sathianathan pointed to the negative effects of the 996 work culture, emphasizing its unsustainable nature.
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