70-hour Workweek Debate: Passé Or Pertinent?

For over two centuries, work and the workplace have undeniably constituted a pivotal aspect of human existence. Initially serving as a means to fulfil fundamental necessities such as food, clothing and shelter—the quintessential "roti, kapda, and makan"—the evolution of time, coupled with advancements in education, healthcare and rising living standards, has spurred individuals to seek higher earnings. In the present era, with India emerging as the world's fifth-largest economy, there is an increased expectation for citizens to dedicate extended hours to work, contributing to the overall growth of the country.

But how much do people around India work? Are they forced to do so? Or, are they working for their own luxury? All this is debatable. While the race today is essentially to generate more income, another unsolved discussion is about ‘smart vs longer’ workhours. 

An average Indian works more than a typical 40 hours per week and studies state that it can result in increased levels of stress, poor eating habits, lack of physical activity and, eventually, illness. A report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) confirmed that in 2016, 7.54 lakh people died from stroke and heart disease, which was associated with long working hours. 

The discourse on the intersection of work, productivity and societal contributions has persisted for decades. But recently, this conversation gained renewed attention when Infosys Co-founder N R Narayan Murthy advocated for young individuals to commit to a 70-hour workweek. Murthy's assertion revolves around the belief that such dedication from the younger generation could significantly enhance the overall productivity of the nation.

Reflecting on Murthy’s thoughts, Rajesh Mirjankar, Managing Director and CEO at Kiya.ai said, “A strong and productive workforce is the foundation of any thriving nation contributing to the economy, the well-being of the community and the overall development of the nation.”

Mirjankar stressed the Infosys founder has rightly emphasised the need for quality over quantity, meaning that a 70-hour workweek should be centred around making a positive impact rather than simply clocking hours.

But Yadhu Kishore Nandikolla, Head of Human Resources, MassMutual India has a completely different perspective to share. According to him, work hours are stretching and getting longer and he feels that stretching is not a healthy practice as it indicates that “we are not putting time to effective use.” Nandikolla emphasised that longer hours are not an answer to anything that can jeopardise the health and harmony of an employee.

Work-Life And Balance?

As per a ‘Our World In Data’ report, in the last 70 years, there has been a continuous decline in working hours for many countries. In 2017, India stood second only to China in terms of longer work hours, which was found to be 2,117 hours per worker over an entire year. 

Ashdin Doctor, Habit Coach and founder at Awesome 180 said, “There is no such thing as work-life balance. It is like riding a cycle. There is always more pressure on one side than on the other side. It is a work-life rhythm. Having said that, the choice is always what are your goals and what are you willing to sacrifice for them.”

Underlining the negatives of extending workhours, Girija Kolagada, VP, Engineering at Progress said, “Extended working hours can profoundly impact an individual's physical and mental well-being, disrupting their work-life balance and overall quality of life, regardless of gender. In the context of India, these challenges can be particularly daunting for women due to various societal and cultural factors.”

Kolagada stressed that the current preference leans towards smart working, particularly among the younger generation. She emphasised that embracing such practices can lead to a more motivated, content and efficient workforce. This, in turn, is expected to bring long-term benefits to both employees and organisations.

In contrast, Jaisimha Rao, founder and CEO at Niqo Robotics said, “I believe PV Sindhu would have not bagged a silver medal in the Olympics if she had restricted herself from working longer. Also, when Narayan Murthy said a 70-hour working week is a success formula, this cannot be denied when he himself has built a USD 100-billion company. But again, this working pattern cannot be forced on anyone but the ones wanting to achieve success in a short time span are likely to support Murthy’s thought.” 

“It is not about smart working, it is about winning the medal, for which one has to choose an asymmetric lifestyle and there's no two ways about it,” Rao concluded.

Dr Riyaz Sayed, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Centella AI, highlighted the distinction between the drive and passion required to build a company and generate wealth versus the mindset of a typical 9 am to 5 pm employee. However, Sayed laid emphasis on the significance of allocating time for personal well-being as well. In the case of ex-Infosys Chief, Narayana Murthy, it was noted that his wife, Sudha Murthy, perhaps took on the responsibility of raising their children, potentially affording him the autonomy to manage his time despite longer working hours.

What Do Startups Chiefs Say? 

In 2022, Indian startups reportedly attracted USD 42 billion in funding, a substantial leap from the previous year's USD 16 billion which undoubtedly underscores their significance in achieving India's USD 5 trillion economy goal. 

Weighing in on the 70-hour workweek debate, Aryaman Vir, CEO of WiseX said “While thinking about ‘work-life balance’ may be flawed because the idea of balance implies that work and life are opposing forces, but we can focus on ‘work-life integration’. In today's startup landscape, where innovation is the key, the belief that longer working hours ensure success is outdated. Startups need to recognise that work-life integration is essential. It means identifying that at times work will take precedence and other times personal life will require more attention. So rather than separating the two worlds, prioritisation should be towards aligning actions with the goals and mission of the organisation as well as personal life.”

Nehal Gupta, Director, AMU Leasing highlighted that overworking can lower one's efficiency causing physical and mental illness. "So, workers should work appropriately but in case they are working extra, they should keep a check on whether they are getting paid for their additional time."

Furthermore, Anuradha Gupta, Founder CEO & Lead Matchmaker at Vows for Eternity said “Structure, discipline and accountability are very important when it comes to having a good work ethic than focusing on whether it is taking 8, 4 or 20 hours. In the end, one's work should reflect productivity, but it should not be at the cost of health.”