The debate over excessive working hours has been reignited in recent years, with growing concerns about the impact on employee well-being, workplace productivity, and long-term organisational success. While some argue that longer hours are a necessity in competitive industries, others emphasize the risks of burnout, decreased efficiency, and the erosion of work-life balance.
The debate sparked a heated discussion when the great visionary Narayana Murthy, Co-founder, Infosys at CNBC Global Leadership Summit claimed to have an extensive 70-hour work week for Indian employees as according to him we are still a developing economy and need to work harder in comparison to others to achieve our goals.
He cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s example to make his point why Indians should put in extra hours on work. “When PM Modi is working 100 hours a week, the only way to show our appreciation for the things that are happening around us is by our work,” he said.
And recently during an internal meeting with employees at Larsen & Toubro (L&T), a video clipping went viral where their Chairman SN Subrahmanyan was seen giving out derogatory statement on exceedingly long working hours, “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be happier, because I work on Sundays,” Subrahmanyan said. “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife?”
According to experts and advisors, “MENTAL HEALTH” would have died a 100 time hearing this statement!
From 70 To 90-Hour Work-Week
The approach to corporate working hours varies widely across the globe. For instance, countries like Germany and France have strict labor laws that limit working hours and encourage a better work-life balance. For example, France’s “Right to Disconnect” law protects employees from being contacted outside of work hours.
In times when people were somehow coping up with the traumatic statement given by Murthy of 70-hour work-week, there came another bombshell a few months later by Subrahmanyan of having a 90-hour workweek instead!
But, the questions is why are we counting hours and not focusing on the relative output.
Anand Mahindra, Chairperson of Mahindra and Mahindra has given a befitting reply to L&T Chairman’s question of “how long can you stare at your wife?” Mahindra responded, “I love staring at my wife.”
Speaking at the National Youth Festival in the national capital, Mahindra expressed his concern of quantifying employees’ work in terms of working hours and not over the productive outcomes.
“Focus on the quality of work and not on the quantity, as one can change the world in 10 hours,” stated Mahindra.
Technically speaking, 90-hour workweek would add over 10 hours of daily working and is it humanly possible to work at the stretch for these many hours? On top of it, companies want employees to return-to-work fully, which means an average of 1.5 hour of travel too, adding upto 12 hours of working day, SERIOUSLY? Where are we heading to?
According to Prabir Jha, Founder and CEO, Prabir Jha People Advisory, when someone at the top of one of the largest companies in India makes this statement, not in a small drawing room conversation but to people at large it is both tactless and insensitive.”
Even PRATHIDHWANI, welfare organisation of IT employees condemns 70/90 hour work week proposals by Narayana Murthy and S.N. Subrahmanyan stating, “These proposals disregard fundamental principles of work-life balance, employee well-being, mental health, productivity and modern workplace standards.”
“The suggestion of such extended workweeks undermines the progress made in labor rights and signals a regressive approach to addressing workplace challenges.”
Weekends Are More Than Just “Staring At Wives”
Well, Saturday-Sunday aren’t just to “stare at wives,” as people have to conduct the weekly household tasks and spend time with their families. Its more of a “social duty”, if nothing else.
Its that time where employees should take a brief break and recover in preparation for the coming week. Jha further states, “most lack the resources and assistance you might have. The majority are in a period of life where Sunday is spent attending to the needs of the family.”
And the bashing didn’t just end within the corporate realm, personalities from Bollywood to commented upon it. Leading bollywood actress Deepika Padukone took it to her Instagram story, slamming L&T Chairman’s ruthless statement, “Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements #mentalhealthmatters.”
Further, according to Aditya Narayan Mishra, MD & CEO of CIEL HR “Its important to recognize and accept that not everyone shares the same perspective or approach. We work in a multigenerational, highly diverse workforce with varying beliefs and preferences, more so than ever before. Hence, we cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach.”
Its mandatory for leaders to acknowledge that empathy and kindness towards employees are not just virtues but essential for long-term success.
Accoridng to Indian labor laws, such as the Factories Act, 1948, and state-specific Shops and Establishments Acts, cap working hours at 48 per week, mandating overtime pay at twice the regular wage for non-exempt employees.
“Our goal should be to create workplaces where employees feel supported, respected, and empowered. By focusing on meaningful outcome instead of hours clocked, we can build stronger, more resilient teams and foster a culture of excellence,” believes Simantika Mukherjee, Group CHRO, Tribeca Developers.
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