The Economic Survey released on Friday warned that working over 60 hours a week could have serious adverse health effects, particularly on mental well-being. Citing studies, the report revealed that long hours at work, especially those exceeding 55-60 hours per week, can lead to physical and psychological strain.
The survey referenced research that found individuals spending 12 or more hours a day at a desk often experience significantly lower mental well-being, with scores roughly 100 points lower than those who work fewer than two hours at a desk. The study, conducted by the Sapien Labs Centre for Human Brain and Mind, also linked extended desk time to higher levels of distress.
“While the hours spent at work are informally considered a measure of productivity, a previous study has documented adverse health effects when hours exceed 55-60 per week,” the survey said, citing findings by Pega F, Nafradi B (2021) and ‘A systematic analysis from the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease and Injury’.
It also highlighted that work-related stress and poor relationships with managers were associated with more lost workdays, with the study pointing out that individuals in jobs with the best managerial relationships still lose up to five days per month due to other factors like workplace culture.
The report also cited a World Health Organization (WHO) study that found depression and anxiety cause the loss of around 12 billion workdays annually worldwide, resulting in a financial loss of approximately USD 1 trillion. In India, this translates to a loss of about Rs 7,000 per day.
The Economic Survey’s findings come in the wake of a public debate sparked by Larsen & Toubro Chairman S N Subrahmanyan, who recently suggested a 90-hour workweek, including Sundays.
This statement followed similar remarks by other business leaders advocating for longer working hours, which drew criticism from others in the business community, including RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka and Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, who stressed the importance of work quality and employee well-being over sheer hours worked.
The work-life balance debate echoes a similar one in China where the so-called ‘996 culture’ – the three digits describe a punishing schedule of 9 am to 9 pm six days a week – is being hotly debated.
The survey further pointed out that if India hopes to achieve its economic goals, more attention must be paid to promoting healthier lifestyle choices, improving work cultures, and ensuring work-life balance, as these factors can have a direct impact on both productivity and mental health.
