With The 70-Hour or 90-Hour Workweek Debate, India is at Crossroads Again. Through This Blog, I Attempt to Highlight and Discuss Some Insights from youth, public service, and global trends challenging us to rethink how we define hard work and success.
Sonal Goel, IAS*
The debate on working hours in India has reached a fever pitch, thanks to a statement by Infosys founder N. R. Narayana Murthy, who suggested a 70-hour workweek to boost productivity. L&T Chairman Subrahmanyan further fuelled this discussion, sparking widespread discourse on what it means to work hard, work smart, and, most importantly, work well.
During my various postings, I have spent long, hectic hours on duty, traveling to a number of educational institutions and connecting with students as a speaker and writer. Through these experiences, I’ve seen this debate unfold firsthand, and I want to explore its key dimensions. And let me clarify that the details shared above aren’t about self-praise but only to establish that I speak from a place of experience. These experiences and interactions have shaped my perspective, and I hope they add value to the conversation ahead.
And therefore, this blog also reflects what young India feels today.
The Human Cost of Ambition
It’s undeniable that growth and productivity are essential for a nation’s progress. But at what cost? Can we afford to achieve economic milestones at the expense of the health and happiness of our workforce? There is a very famous saying among the corporate workforce,
"You can do anything, but not everything."
— David Allen
It simply means that one can do anything if they please, but there is no such being that can do everything. You need to sort out your work and your working hours as nobody is capable of doing all the work alone. That might just give you the stress you’ve been trying to avoid your whole life.
India already ranks high in terms of work-related stress and burnout. A 2023 survey by Deloitte found that over 40% of Indian professionals reported being stressed due to overwork. Mental health concerns like anxiety and depression are on the rise, often fueled by long hours and the pressure to perform. In the race to reach the finish line, are we forgetting that our workforce is not a machine but a collection of human beings with physical, emotional, and psychological needs?
Does More Time Mean More Output?
Sometimes, people give their all to their working, and I believe that is the height of honesty at work, but we need to keep asking this question: are we giving our all this whole time? If the answer comes otherwise, then you don’t need to put in extra hours, all you need to do is change the way you do your work. There’s a quote that says this whole thing beautifully.
"It’s not about how many hours you put in, but what you put into the hours."
— Jim Rohn
The assumption that longer hours lead to higher productivity is as old as the industrial revolution. However, modern research paints a different picture.
A study by Stanford University revealed that productivity per hour declines sharply when a person works more than 50 hours a week. Beyond 55 hours, it’s almost negligible.
Interestingly, countries like Norway and Denmark, which are known for their shorter working hours, also boast some of the highest levels of productivity globally.
Could it be that the answer lies not in working harder but in working smarter? Companies that adopt flexible working hours and prioritize employee well-being often find that a happy worker is a productive worker.
Hard Work vs. Smart Work: An Age-Old Debate
The argument for a 70-hour workweek often hinges on the virtues of hard work. No one can deny the value of discipline, perseverance, and dedication. But does hard work necessarily mean longer hours?
Smart work—leveraging technology, optimizing processes, and focusing on outcomes rather than inputs—is increasingly being recognized as the way forward.
For example, a software engineer who spends 12 hours fixing bugs might achieve the same result as someone who spends 6 hours using better debugging tools and methodologies. The outcome is the same, but the approach is radically different.
Shouldn't the focus be on efficiency rather than sheer effort?
Insights from Public Service
Having served as a District Magistrate (DM) and Deputy Commissioner (DC), I’ve personally experienced the impact of long working hours. These roles are synonymous with being always on duty, often leaving little room for personal time.
While the dedication required in such postings is unparalleled, the experience also underscored the importance of balancing productivity with well-being. The lessons learned here are as applicable to public service as they are to corporate boardrooms.
Global Perspectives: What Can We Learn?
Japan’s infamous “karoshi” culture—death due to overwork— is a stark reminder of what can go wrong when work consumes life. Recognising this, Japan has introduced measures like the “Premium Friday” campaign to encourage employees to leave work early.
On the other hand, countries like Germany and Sweden have experimented with six-hour workdays and reported increased employee satisfaction without compromising productivity. Can India, with its unique socio-economic fabric, adapt and innovate similarly?
The Unanswered Questions
This debate raises more questions than it answers:
● Can we create a work culture that values outcomes over hours?
● How do we balance the need for economic growth with the well-being of our workforce?
● Are we raising a generation that equates long hours with success, or can we redefine what success means? ● And finally, is it okay to prioritize GDP over
GNH—Gross National Happiness?
Let’s Rethink Work
As we grapple with these questions, perhaps it’s time to shift the narrative. Instead of asking, “How many hours should we work?” let’s ask, “How can we work better?” Let’s open the floor for data, research, and thoughtful dialogue that prioritises people as much as profits.
After all, the goal isn’t just to build a stronger economy but a Viksit Bharat. A happier, healthier, and more fulfilled Bharat. And that, perhaps, is the real measure of progress.
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*The writer is a senior IAS officer, Author, Public Speaker and a Global Thought Leader. Views expressed are personal.
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