NR Narayana Murthy: Reason Indians debating 70-hour work week

Narayana Murthy advocated for young people to be prepared to work 70 hours a week.
The remarks ignited discussions about work culture.

Some business leaders support the idea of extended working hours.

The recent comments by software billionaire NR Narayana Murthy, the father-in-law of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, advocating for young people to be prepared to work 70 hours a week to contribute to India’s development have sparked a debate in the country.

The remarks ignited discussions about work culture, employer expectations, and the potential negative impacts on physical and mental health.

Critics pointed out that starting salaries for engineers in Indian tech companies are often on the lower end, and working such long hours could have detrimental effects on individuals.

Some argued that there’s little time for socializing, family interactions, exercise, or recreation, and companies often expect employees to be available for emails and calls after regular working hours.

The discussion coincides with a global reevaluation of the work-life balance brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

While some people found they were more productive working from home, others stressed the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life equilibrium.

Experts suggest that a balanced work-life approach benefits not only employees but also employers, leading to increased retention, improved recruitment, reduced absenteeism, and higher productivity.

Indians already worked long hours, with averages exceeding 2,000 hours annually, according to the International Labour Organization before the pandemic.

Prominent voices in India stressed that boosting productivity isn’t solely about working longer hours; it’s about improving skills, creating a positive work environment, and ensuring fair pay for the work done. Quality of work should take precedence over merely clocking in more hours.

The topic is sensitive in India, where strong labor laws exist, but enforcement remains a challenge. In the past, similar remarks by business leaders have faced criticism and opposition from workers and activists.

However, some business leaders support the idea of extended working hours as a means to contribute to personal growth and the country’s development.

While India debates longer working hours, some developed countries have been experimenting with four-day workweeks. Belgium, for instance, changed its laws to allow workers to have a four-day workweek without a salary reduction.

Several UK companies participated in a trial scheme for a four-day week, with many expressing intent to continue the practice due to the reported benefits in employee well-being.

These experiments could potentially shift attitudes and establish shorter workweeks as the norm. Portugal is also conducting a similar experiment.

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NR Narayana Murthy: Reason Indians debating 70-hour work week

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