Google Co-Founder: 60-Hour Workweek "Sweet Spot" for Productivity

Google co-founder Sergey Brin has sparked controversy with a leaked memo to the company's AI workers, suggesting that 60 hours a week is the "sweet spot" for productivity and that doing the bare minimum can demoralize peers. The memo, obtained by The Information, was written in response to concerns about burnout and work-life balance among Google's AI team.

Brin, who stepped down as Google's president in 2019, argued that the intense work culture at Google is necessary to maintain its competitive edge in the tech industry. He suggested that employees who are not willing to put in the required hours may be hindering the team's progress and demoralizing their colleagues.

The memo has been met with criticism from some Google employees, who argue that the company's culture of overwork is unsustainable and detrimental to their well-being. Some have pointed out that the memo seems to be at odds with Google's stated commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance.

Google has not officially commented on the leaked memo, but a spokesperson for the company told The Verge that "Google is committed to supporting the well-being of our employees and providing them with the resources they need to succeed." The spokesperson also noted that the company offers a range of benefits and programs to support employee health and well-being.

This is not the first time that Google's work culture has come under scrutiny. In recent years, the company has faced criticism for its treatment of contract workers, its handling of sexual harassment allegations, and its role in surveillance and data privacy. Despite these controversies, Google remains one of the most valuable and influential companies in the world.