CS Krishnamurthy
When I heard luminaries like N R Narayana Murthy and L&T’s S N Subrahmanyan propose 70 to 90-hour workweeks, my initial reaction was to laugh nervously and clutch my coffee mug a little tighter. Surely, they didn’t mean actual hours, right? Maybe they were counting daydreaming at the desk or staring blankly at Excel sheets as part of their calculations. But no, these stalwarts were serious—foregoing weekends and sacrificing personal lives for professional excellence.
While their intent for national progress are admirable, one wonders: have they tried this schedule themselves? Or perhaps they’ve confused humans with high-performance machines that run on endless fuel.
Remember, overworking doesn’t equal productivity. It equals burnout. I’ve seen it happen—people running on empty, turning into walking, coffee-guzzling zombies. They might look busy, but their brains are silently crying for help. Exhaustion clouds judgment, impairs creativity, and transforms even the brightest minds into foggy thinkers.
Now imagine a 90-hour week. That’s 15 hours a day, six days a week. I can barely survive an extended movie marathon without needing a nap and a neck massage. Stretching one’s work capacity to these limits assumes heroic stamina—and an army of helpers managing your personal life. Most of us don’t have that luxury.
Financial disparity
Then there’s the glaring issue of financial imbalance. Subrahmanyan, who champions these extended hours, reportedly earns over 500 times the average L&T worker’s salary. Let’s just say that’s a lot of zeroes. Now, while he might have the financial cushion to pay for domestic help, personal chefs, and possibly a live-in yoga instructor, the rest of us are juggling skyrocketing costs and limited resources.
For employees slogging 49-hour weeks already, asking for more hours without proportionate compensation is like handing them a treadmill and saying, “Run faster. No, you won’t get water, but you might get applause… if you’re lucky.” How motivating.
Smart is efficient
Take the mantra “work smarter, not longer.” It’s not an excuse for slacking; it’s about efficiency. An employee with a clear head and well-rested mind can often accomplish in six hours what a sleep-deprived colleague might struggle to finish in ten. Quality trumps quantity, every single time.
Here’s a fun fact: happy employees are productive employees. It’s not rocket science; it’s basic human psychology. When people feel valued, rested, and connected to their personal lives, they bring their A-game to work. On the flip side, overworked, disgruntled employees are like leaky taps—draining company resources without delivering results.
A colleague once said: “I’m so overworked, I dreamed of spreadsheets last night. They were chasing me.” It was funny, but also tragic. No one wants to live in a world where Excel files haunt their dreams. Leaders must recognise that fostering a happy workforce isn’t just a feel-good strategy; it’s good business sense.
India’s progress doesn’t hinge on marathon workweeks, but on sustainable practices that respect human limits. Corporate leaders must redefine hard work to include creativity, innovation, and, yes, a life outside the office. Great ideas often come when you’re relaxed—taking a walk, spending time with family, or even while showering (Einstein would agree).
My takeaway: Balance, not burnout
I admire Murthy and Subrahmanyan’s dedication, but let’s not glorify overwork. Instead, let’s champion a culture where hard work and personal fulfilment coexist. Let’s redefine success to mean not just professional excellence but also happiness, health, and a good night’s sleep.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some Netflix episodes to catch up on. It’s called research… for work-life balance. Really!