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Source: The post impact of extreme work hours has been created, based on the article “Express view on L&T chairman’s remarks: The CEOs who lack of vision, empathy or ideas” published in “Indian Express” on 11th January 2025
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2-Governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Context: The article criticizes corporate leaders promoting excessive work hours, like 70-90-hour weeks, ignoring employee well-being. It highlights the stress, low pay, and lack of support faced by workers, emphasizing that productivity doesn’t improve by sacrificing health, relationships, and sustainability.
For detailed information on The Issue of Overwork in India read this article here
What Is the Current Trend in Work Hours Advocated by Corporate Leaders?
- Corporate leaders like Narayana Murthy and S N Subrahmanyan have suggested extreme work weeks of 70 to 90 hours, respectively.
- Other leaders, such as Bhavish Agarwal of OLA and Shantanu Deshpande of Bombay Shaving Company, also support intense work schedules.
- Even the prime minister is noted for advocating long working hours, suggesting a cultural valorization of overwork in the country.
How Do These Work Hours Compare Globally?
In Asia, the average work week is nearly 49 hours, compared to about 38 hours in North America and Europe. This highlights a significant disparity in work-life balance.
What Are the Implications of These Long Work Hours?
- Extended work hours lead to high stress and low income among employees.
- There’s a lack of adequate support systems for workers, impacting their physical and mental well-being.
- This approach overlooks the importance of employee well-being and long-term sustainability.
Conclusion
The International Labour Organization states: “Labour is not a commodity.” It emphasizes the need to align corporate demands with employee well-being and sustainability, which many leaders fail to consider.
Question for practice:
Discuss the implications of corporate leaders advocating extreme work hours on employee well-being and productivity.
