Infosys founder Narayana Murthy recently went on record to state that the youngsters of today should work 70 hours a week if they want India to match up to other countries in terms of development, like China. He claimed that India’s productivity rate is one of the lowest in the world and gave the example of Germany and Japan and how professionals worked extra hours for a couple of years following World War 2 to be able to make up for the time and resources lost.
However, Dr Deepika Kishnamurthy who is a Senior Interventional Cardiologist at Sakra World Hospital, Bengaluru, responded to Narayana Murthy’s claims and said that working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week (considering Sunday is the day off) will leave a person no time for family, have a social life or spare them the time to exercise. Besides work, if they sleep for at least 6 hours, then they would have 4 hours remaining – which is very little to complete other tasks for the day. He went on to highlight that this is one of the reasons why many young people are getting heart attacks nowadays.
“24 hours per day (as far as I know) If you work 6 days a week – 12h per day. Remaining 12h 8 hours sleep 4 hours remain. In a city like Bengaluru 2 hours on road 2 hours remain – Brush, poop, bathe, eat. No time to socialise. No time to talk to family. No time to exercise. No time for recreation. Not to mention companies expect people to answer emails and calls after work hours also. Then wonder why young people are getting heart attacks?!”
Have a look at his post here:
24 hours per day (as far as I know)
If you work 6 days a week – 12h per day
Remaining 12h
8 hours sleep
4 hours remain
In a city like Bengaluru
2 hours on road
2 hours remain – Brush, poop, bathe, eat
No time to socialise
No time to talk to family
No time to exercise… https://t.co/dDTKAPfJf8— Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy (@DrDeepakKrishn1) October 27, 2023
Dr Krishnamurthy further went on to address questions posed by other people on social media. He said that instead of urging people to work such long hours, organizations should hire more people.
Double the number of jobs. Unemployment rate will reduce. People can work less hours and have a life.
— Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy (@DrDeepakKrishn1) October 27, 2023
He also said that doctors being asked to work “inhuman schedules” is wrong too.
That's wrong too
— Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy (@DrDeepakKrishn1) October 27, 2023
Many others agreed with what he was trying to say. Research has shown that working long hours every day leads to stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, and various cardiovascular issues. It also leads to a person having poor work-life balance and it further has a negative impact on productivity.
To say the least, this will lead to cardiac issues, stress related complications, mental & psychological problems, divorce, parental issues, anxiety and so on.
Well, he is suggested to follow the famous advice of “be the change you want to see.” Start with family.!— Nimisha Mathur (@Nimisinhamathur) October 27, 2023
Work culture should definitely change. But towards lesser work hours, Saturday Sunday offs in all workplaces including hospitals, better pays and hikes, Regular institute sponsored trainings to update skills.
— Dr. Mahendra, MD Psychiatry (@drmahi17) October 27, 2023
Workforce in many consulting organisations is already questionable. People spend their evenings to meet crazy deadlines.
India has great workforce and young population. instead of asking people in the job to spend their life, more hobs shoukd be created and spread throughout the…
— Sujit Singh (@sujitsingh) October 27, 2023
Very true! And, the analogy they try to portray is that if someone who happily puts 60 to 70 hours gets ahead in career, is not at all true. You just get better in the eyes of your manager. Ultimately, your talent that speaks!
Also, in most cases, the guy who speaks well, has…
— Michael Makhal (@mrmakhal) October 27, 2023
At the end of the day if anything happens to employee..they will support him/her for 6 months and then just replace them after that ! sad but true
— Pradeep Karan (@eaglei1982) October 27, 2023
While some might be more resilient than others, working 70 hours a week is generally not sustainable in the long term and can have serious consequences on one’s mental and physical health.