[Answered] Critically assess N.R. Narayana Murthy’s suggestion of a 70-hour work week for young Indians. What are the potential drawbacks?

N.R. Narayana Murthy, the founder of Infosys, recently stated that young Indians need to put in 70 hours a week at work drawing reactions from both sides with some praising the advice while some criticizing the advice as being exploitative and unhealthy.

Potential benefits of 70-hour work week

• Increased Productivity: Advocates argue that a longer workweek could potentially result in higher productivity due to more time spent on tasks and projects.
• Economic Growth: It might boost economic growth as more work hours could contribute to increased production and innovation.
• Global Competition: In a globalized world, longer work hours might help Indian professionals remain competitive in the international job market.

Drawbacks of 70-hour work week

• Burnout and Mental Health: Workers who put in 70 hours a week are more prone to experience burnout, higher levels of stress, and mental health problems. Extended work hours may negatively impact an individual’s health and work-life equilibrium.
• Effect on Family Life: Long work hours can make it more difficult to meet personal and family obligations, strain relationships within the family, and disturb the work-life balance.
• Diminished Creativity and Innovation: Overworked People frequently exhibit less creativity and innovation. Tiredness can hinder one’s capacity for original thought and problem-solving.
• Work Quality: Longer hours do not always translate into better work. Tired employees are more prone to make mistakes and do subpar work.
• Discouragement of Skill Development: A seventy-hour workweek may not provide time for learning, developing new skills, or following other hobbies, which could impede one’s ability to advance both personally and professionally.
• Gender Inequality: Extended work hours may have a disproportionate impact on women, who often shoulder greater caring and home obligations, hence exacerbating gender disparities.
• Danger of Exploitation: Employers may take advantage of a culture of extended work hours, which could result in unpaid overtime, subpar working conditions, and abuses of workers’ rights.
• Impact on the Community and Society: Long work hours can reduce participation in the community and society, which can have an impact on volunteer work and social cohesiveness.
• Demotivation and Job discontent: Excessive workloads can result in low morale, significant employee turnover, and job discontent, all of which can be detrimental to businesses.

Conclusion

Finally, while N.R. Narayana Murthy’s proposal for a 70-hour workweek for young Indians aims to increase productivity, it should be carefully evaluated in light of the potential negative effects on work quality, burnout, mental health problems, and work-life balance. Writing good employment rules requires striking a balance between the needs of the job and the welfare and personal development of the employee.