What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: Where one side of the world debates maintaining work-life balance, some people in top positions argue for increased work hours. One such advocate is Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, who recently supported Infosys founder Narayana Murthy’s advice for a 70-hour workweek.
However, health specialists strongly caution against such extreme work hours, highlighting significant health risks. Dr Achal Bhagat, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in Delhi emphasized the dangers. “Many studies show associations between overwork and increased cardiovascular events, particularly in those working over 55 hours a week. Chronic work stress can lead to maladaptive coping behaviours like substance abuse or neglect of preventive health measures. The allostatic load theory suggests cumulative stress can accelerate biological ageing, potentially shortening lifespan,” he explained.
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Murthy’s suggestion, made in 2023, was aimed at young Indians aspiring to compete with developed economies. He said that a 70-hour workweek is necessary for rapid progress. This advice reignited debates when Aggarwal expressed his agreement, stating he was “fully in sync” with Murthy’s perspective.
Dr Bhagat further elaborated on the cascading health impacts of excessive work hours. “It can lead to chronic activation of stress response systems, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and immune dysfunction. It may also cause cognitive impairment, emotional exhaustion, and heightened vulnerability to mental health issues like depression and anxiety.”
Even without the implications of such demanding work schedules, the youth of the country feel overwhelmed with the current workload. Ritesh Kumar, a 27-year-old corporate employee, shared his concerns. “I already work 9 hours a day, which leads to stress and tiredness, leaving me with no energy or enthusiasm to engage in activities I enjoy. I can’t even imagine what will happen to my existence if it turns into 70 hours a week.”
Currently, typical work hours in India range from 8 to 10 hours daily. Dr Bhagat suggests this can be manageable if properly structured, ideally recommending a 35–40-hour work week with regular breaks, maintaining work-life balance, and engaging in recovery activities.
