TL;DR
- Google co-founder Sergey Brin urges employees to work at least 60 hours per week in the office.
- His memo emphasizes this as the "sweet spot" for productivity amid intense competition for artificial general intelligence (AGI).
- Brin advocates for employees to return to the office at least every weekday to foster collaboration and expedite progress.
- The response to his proposal is mixed, with some praising the dedication while others raising concerns about burnout and work-life balance.
Google’s Sergey Brin Asks Workers to Spend More Time In the Office
In a recent internal memo, Google co-founder Sergey Brin has made a bold call to employees, predominantly those in the company's Gemini AI division. He advocates for them to commit to at least 60 hours per week in the office, declaring this commitment as the best way to boost productivity and keep pace with rival organizations vying for advancements in artificial general intelligence (AGI). Brin believes that intensified effort could lead to a breakthrough in AGI technologies, described as systems with intelligence levels exceeding that of humans.
The Push for Office Return
Brin's memo, which was reported on by multiple sources including The New York Times and CTV News, states, “I recommend being in the office at least every weekday.” This stance reflects a strategic shift in Google's operational approach, moving away from more flexible work-from-home arrangements that had become commonplace during the COVID-19 pandemic. By urging a return to the office, Brin hopes to encourage more dynamic collaboration among employees, suggesting that in-person interaction is essential to fostering innovation and progress in AI development.
Productivity and Long Hours
According to Brin, “60 hours a week is the sweet spot of productivity.” His claim echoes a sentiment that longer hours correlate with greater outputs, a perspective that has garnered various reactions from within the tech community. Some employees, as indicated by the memo, view Brin's expectations unfavorably, framing them as indicative of a hustle-centric workplace culture that could lead to burnout rather than enhanced performance.
Numerous experts have countered the notion that longer working hours directly correlate with productivity gains. Studies indicate that productivity tends to decline beyond the 55-hour mark, suggesting diminishing returns from excessive working hours[^1]. This has raised concerns regarding mental health and work-life balance, particularly in high-pressure environments like Google, which plays a significant role in shaping modern tech landscapes.
Reactions from the Workforce and Experts
The mixed responses to Brin's memo highlight a deeper discussion around workplace culture in the tech industry. Many critics stress that promoting an extended work week inherently undermines employee well-being:
“The hustle-centric 60-hour week isn’t productivity—it’s burnout waiting to happen,” stated workplace mental health educator Catherine Eadie.[^2]
Other voices in the industry echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for a shift from merely measuring hours worked to focusing on well-being and creativity, which are crucial for innovation.[^3]
Conversely, some proponents of Brin's philosophy argue that such dedication is necessary in a competitive landscape dominated by firms like OpenAI, Meta, and others pushing aggressively for AI advancements. They see longer hours as an essential commitment to retain leadership in emerging technologies that might define the future of computing and internet applications.
Conclusion: The Future of Work at Google
As Google battles with fierce competitors in the race for AGI, how it manages its workforce could set a precedent for the tech industry. Brin’s call for a 60-hour workweek reflects broader themes of ambition and commitment but risks alienating talent and igniting discussions about sustainable work practices.
The evolving conversation around work hours and productivity in tech reflects a pivotal moment where flexibility and employee well-being must contend with the demands for innovation and market success. How Google's leadership navigates these competing priorities will likely influence not just its employees but the entire technology landscape.
References
[^1]: Stanford University. (N.D.). "The Dangers of Working Too Many Hours." Stanford. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
[^2]: Catherine Eadie. (2025). "The Hunt for Balance: Why the 60-Hour Week is a Myth." LinkedIn. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
[^3]: Andrew Barker. (2025). "Google co-founder urges office work." LinkedIn. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
[^4]: New York Times. (2025). "Google’s Sergey Brin Asks Workers to Spend More Time In the Office." New York Times. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
[^5]: CTV News. (2025). "Google co-founder wants employees to work 60 hours a week in office." CTV News. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
Metadata
- Keywords: Google, Sergey Brin, productivity, office work, AI, burnout, employee well-being, workplace culture.
