/squirrels/media/media_files/2025/01/31/If05pyX1ffhu0yzojX6o.webp)
Photograph: (open source)
After Infosys co-founder Narayanamurthy and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman SN Subrahmanyan disturbed the working class with their statements demanding 70-to-90 hours of work from an employee over the past several months, the Economic Survey 2025 has a message for the elite employers.
Corporate leaders advocating extended workweeks are met with significant caution from the Economic Survey 2024-25, which stresses that prolonged working hours can severely affect mental health, which in a way endorses Gautam Adani's point of view.
The survey, referencing international research, pointed out that exceeding 60 hours of work per week poses considerable health risks. Employees who engage in 12-hour workdays exhibit notably "distressed" mental well-being. These findings emerge amidst a contentious discussion regarding the proposed 70-90-hour workweek, which has polarized the Indian business sector.
Economic Survey warns
Additionally, the Economic Survey cited research from the Sapien Labs Centre for Human Brain and Mind, which corroborates the detrimental effects of extended desk time on mental health. The survey reported that individuals working 12 hours or more at a desk experience significantly lower mental well-being scores — approximately 100 points less than those who limit their desk time to two hours or less.
In addition to mental health concerns, the survey identified that workplace culture and lifestyle choices also play a crucial role in productivity. It suggested that fostering stronger workplace relationships and cultivating a sense of purpose can lead to a reduction in workday losses by 2 or 3 days a month. In contrast, inadequate management relationships and a lack of pride in the workplace were associated with higher rates of absenteeism.
The survey recognised that productivity is affected by various factors, noting that even in organizations with robust managerial relationships, an average of five workdays are lost each month. It referenced data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which indicated that depression and anxiety contribute to a global loss of 12 billion workdays each year, resulting in an economic impact of $1 trillion. This equates to approximately ₹7,000 per day, as stated in the report.
These findings emerge amidst comments from industry leaders who are advocating for longer workweeks. Subrahmanyan, chairman of Larsen & Toubro, recently proposed a 90-hour workweek, suggesting that employees should work on Sundays instead of remaining at home. His views align with those of Infosys co-founder Narayanamurthy, who recommended a 70-hour work week, but ran afoul of Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, who humorously remarked that too much time at home could lead to marital issues.
Others who disagree with Narayanamurthy and Subrahmanyan
Nevertheless, the push for demanding work schedules has encountered opposition within the corporate sector. Harsh Goenka, Chairman of RPG Group, cautioned that long working hours can lead to burnout rather than success. Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group, also countered this notion, asserting that productivity should take precedence over the number of hours worked. Sanjiv Puri, Chairman of ITC Ltd, further stressed the need to empower employees instead of evaluating their contributions based solely on time spent at work.
This discussion is not limited to India. In China, the notorious ‘996 culture’—where employees work from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week — has come under increasing criticism. The Economic Survey concluded that for India to meet its economic objectives, it must address lifestyle choices from an early stage. It warned that toxic work environments and excessive working hours could ultimately impede the nation’s economic progress.