Shopify CEO’s U-turn on work-life balance: From 40-hour weeks to weekends

**Tobi Lutke, the CEO of Shopify, recently shifted his perspective on work-life balance, moving from 40-hour work weeks to a new philosophy where he works more than 10 hours a day, including weekends. This shift comes at a time when pressure to improve performance is growing in Silicon Valley.**A Model of Success Questioned **In 2019, Tobi Lutke was celebrated as the role model for those seeking success without sacrificing their health and free time.**Shopify, the $125 billion e-commerce company he founded, was run under his 40-hour work week philosophy. At the time, Lutke claimed, « I never worked more than 40 hours in a week unless I felt a burning desire to. » His stance was widely reported by media outlets like CNBC and Business Insider. The Shift in Silicon Valley

Today, the game has changed, not only for Lutke but throughout Silicon Valley. The tech sector, once known for its low-stress work environments, is moving toward a performance culture.

Tourism companies in the Middle East are not alone in undergoing such an organizational transformation. Lutke and His New RealityNow, Lutke seems to be embracing this trend of increased efficiency. « I’m home for dinner, but I work at least 10 hours a day and a good part of the weekend, » he recently said. This new approach reflects the growing need for flexibility in the labor market, a hot topic as some companies downsize based on performance. As another report indicates, almost 50% of French people are considering resigning if remote work ends. The Impact on Employees and EmployersThe consequences of this shift for Shopify employees and workers in the tech sector were soon felt. With half of French people considering resigning if remote work were to cease, the pressure on employees to improve their performance is growing. Meta recently announced the reduction of 4,000 employees deemed « underperformers, » highlighting the current climate of stress and uncertainty. A Changing Future The actions of Lutke and other industry leaders signal a shift toward a culture focused more on performance than balance. This shift could encourage Generation Z to redefine the norms of the traditional workplace, imposing a new dynamic where commitment to work is both highly valued and questioned.