Hyderabad IT Employee Alleges 16 Hour Workdays, Files Complaint With Telangana Labour Department

A Hyderabad-based IT professional has filed a formal complaint accusing a multinational firm of forcing extreme work hours without compensation.
The case comes amid a growing national debate on work-life balance and extended workweeks in India’s tech industry.
Authorities are expected to review labour law compliance as concerns over overtime practices rise.

• What happened: Sridhar Merugu, an IT professional from Hyderabad, alleged he worked over 16 hours a day without overtime pay and filed a complaint with authorities.

• Why it matters now: The issue surfaces as discussions intensify around longer working hours in India’s corporate sector.

• What changes for people: The case could push stricter scrutiny of HR policies and overtime enforcement in IT companies.

• Who is affected: Technology employees, multinational firms, labour regulators, and corporate HR teams.

An IT employee has approached the Telangana labour department claiming a major multinational company required prolonged shifts for years without additional pay. The complaint highlights rising concerns over employee welfare and labour law compliance in one of India’s biggest technology hubs.

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Allegations of prolonged work hours and unpaid wages

According to the complaint, Sridhar Merugu, 45, said he was intermittently made to work for more than 16 hours daily during his 14-year tenure. He has demanded compensation for extra hours, calling such expectations unreasonable without proper remuneration.

<u>He has formally approached the Telangana labour department and the National Human Rights Commission seeking action over alleged overtime violations.</u>

Merugu claimed the situation worsened when he fell ill but was still asked to continue working. He also alleged denial of late-night and early-morning shift allowances despite extended schedules.

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Termination claim and dispute timeline

The complainant said he raised concerns internally after being required to work continuous long shifts for three to four months. When his grievances were not addressed, he alleged he was terminated in September 2025, which he believes was linked to his refusal to continue under what he described as unlawful conditions.

He has urged authorities to direct the US-based company to clear pending overtime dues along with statutory interest and penalties. The company’s response has not been publicly detailed, and the matter is currently based on the employee’s allegations.

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Growing concerns across Hyderabad’s IT sector

The complaint comes as several professionals in Hyderabad’s technology industry report working beyond the standard 40-hour workweek. Some employees claim they avoid raising overtime requests due to fear of negative career consequences.

Veteran IT professional Santosh Kumar, cited in reports, said unpaid weekend and holiday work has become more common since the pandemic reshaped project timelines and remote work expectations.

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Why this case matters for India’s workplace policies

Labour experts say the dispute reflects broader questions about balancing productivity with employee rights:

• Public safety: Prolonged shifts can impact mental health and workplace well-being.

• Governance: Authorities may increase monitoring of overtime compliance in multinational firms.

• Economic impact: India’s IT sector depends heavily on global contracts, making labour standards a key credibility factor.

Analysts stress that while companies seek efficiency, enforcement of labour protections remains essential to maintain sustainable workforce practices.