New Delhi: If the corporate world thought a 70-hour workweek was excessive, the latest proposition of a 90-hour week has ignited a fresh storm. This controversial idea was floated by Larsen & Toubro Chairman & MD SN Subrahmanyan during a closed-door employee interaction. What started as a private remark has now spread like wildfire.
A respected leader who contributed to building a $50 billion business empire employing over 4 lakh people, Subrahmanyan once enjoyed a stellar reputation in corporate circles. However, his recent advocacy for a 90-hour workweek, coupled with the jarring comment, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife?” has drawn widespread criticism and placed him at the center of an ongoing debate.
Following the virality of his remarks on social media, Bollywood star Deepika Padukone emerged as a vocal critic, labeling the statement as “shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements.”
She was soon joined by industry leaders, including RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka, Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj, and Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, who cheekily responded, “I love staring at my wife.”
Leaving this debate aside for a moment, it’s worth noting that such calls are coming from influential figures whose words still carry weight in the industry. This latest turn of events provides an intriguing opportunity to explore the pressing question: what health challenges could a relentless work grind potentially impose on the human body?
Highlighting some of the acute challenges associated with an unrelenting work schedule, Dr Sachin Baliga, Consultant – Psychiatry, Fortis Hospital, said, “Working 90-hour weeks can have severe physical and emotional consequences on the average professional. Chronic sleep deprivation, fatigue, and stress can lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health disorders.”
“Prolonged exposure to stress can also impair cognitive function, judgment, and mood regulation. Furthermore, the lack of work-life balance can strain relationships, lead to social isolation, and exacerbate feelings of burnout, anxiety, and depression, “ Dr Baliga added.
The number of hours considered healthy for work in a week varies based on factors like the nature of the work, individual health, and work-life balance. However, research and expert recommendations provide general guidelines that working for 42-48 hours per week is considered optimal for maintaining good physical and mental health, underscored, Dr. T. S. Kler Chairman & HOD – BLK-Max Heart & Vascular Institute.
This also aligns with most labor laws worldwide. For some people, working for 30–35 hours may be more productive and sustainable, depending on personal circumstances, Dr Kler extended.
According to the experts, research suggests that longer working hours do not necessarily improve productivity and learning. In fact, excessive working hours can hinder focus, creativity, and overall performance. There is evidence to suggest that extended working hours lead to more mistakes and poor decision-making in critical industries.
Moreover, evolving trends suggest that many young professionals prioritise work-life balance and seek careers that offer flexible scheduling, remote work options, and a healthy work environment. Industries that fail to adapt to these changing expectations risk losing top talent and facing significant recruitment and retention challenges.
Reflecting upon some of the mental health challenges, Dr Shambhavi Jaiman, Consultant Psychiatrist, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, added, “without having enough time to recuperate may negatively affect interpersonal relationships thus negatively affecting emotional well-being. Though it depends from person to person, it is a possibility that it might affect people from pursuing long term careers in competitive industries.”
Furthermore, “burnout can contribute to one eventually developing lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular conditions and metabolic disorders, alongside increased rates of anxiety and depression, Dr Jaiman added.
To constructively address this burgeoning challenge, Dr Baliga advocated that, “governments and organisations should enforce stricter limits on working hours to protect employee well-being and maintain productivity.”
Speaking on similar lines Dr Jaiman, shared, “enforcing reasonable limits on work hours helps protect mental and physical health, improve productivity, and foster a sustainable work culture.”
Preliminary indicators of a possible work-life imbalance are already beginning to surface and if the trend continues on this path an impending lifestyle disease crisis like –diabetes, hypertension, obesity–that are already causing a huge harm is likely to beat all future estimates at an unprecedented rate.
For managing such on the part of individual effort Dr Kler suggested employing basic tactics like setting boundaries, consuming a healthy diet, regular workout of moderate intensity along with timely medical check-ups.
Uncovering some of the long term challenges associated with this business demand, Dr Baliga cautioned that India’s push for longer work weeks to compete globally may have a long-term cultural and social cost. The erosion of family time and community engagement can lead to decreased social cohesion, increased isolation, and reduced overall well-being.
Additionally, the emphasis on work above all else can perpetuate a culture of overwork, burnout, and decreased job satisfaction, ultimately undermining India’s competitiveness and growth.
While the argument of quality vs quality has always been there in the debate, but it would only be toned out to be a meaningful one when all stakeholders would sit at the same level to discuss this challenge, meanwhile the business leaders of modern India should caution that they should put their money closer to the mouth only when they can walk the talk, especially at a time when the top like SN Subrahmanyan roughly draws 535 times (Rs. 51 crore) more than the average salary of the company’s other employees.
