NEW DELHI: As discussions on extreme work hours continue in corporate India, the pre-Budget Economic Survey has issued a strong caution against excessive workloads, citing studies that link long working hours to severe health consequences.
The survey, released on Friday, noted that working over 60 hours a week can be detrimental to mental well-being and productivity. Drawing from research by the WHO and ILO, it highlighted that individuals spending 12 or more hours a day at a desk report significantly higher stress levels, with mental well-being scores dropping by approximately 100 points compared to those who work two hours or less at a desk.
“While the hours spent at work are informally considered a measure of productivity, studies have documented adverse health effects when hours exceed 55-60 per week,” the survey stated, citing research by Pega F and Nafradi B (2021).
Work culture and productivity
The survey pointed out that toxic workplace environments, poor managerial relationships, and lack of purpose at work contribute to absenteeism. It noted that even in companies with positive work cultures, about five days per month are lost due to stress-related issues. Globally, mental health conditions like anxiety and depression result in 12 billion lost workdays annually, leading to economic losses of approximately $1 trillion—equivalent to Rs 7,000 per lost day in India.
Corporate debate on work hours
The Economic Survey’s findings come in the wake of a growing debate on long workweeks triggered by corporate leaders. Last year, Larsen & Toubro’s Chairman S N Subrahmanyan controversially advocated for a 90-hour workweek, following Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s call for a 70-hour workweek. Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani also fueled discussions with his remark that spending more than eight hours at home would lead to personal relationship troubles.
However, several industry leaders have pushed back against these views. RPG Group’s Harsh Goenka argued that excessive work hours lead to burnout rather than success, while Mahindra Group’s Anand Mahindra stressed the importance of productivity over time spent. ITC Ltd Chairman Sanjiv Puri echoed this sentiment, emphasizing employee empowerment over sheer work hours.
India’s economic growth and work-life balance
The survey also drew parallels with China’s 996 culture—a work schedule of 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week—which has been widely debated due to its toll on employee well-being.
In the Indian context, the survey underscored that meeting the country’s economic ambitions requires a focus on lifestyle choices, mental health, and workplace culture. It warned that pushing employees into excessively long hours could ultimately slow economic growth rather than accelerate it.