Is ‘90-Hour Working Week’ the Panacea for Growth?

The recent opinions expressed by a few stalwarts of India Inc.—Narayana Murthy of Infosys and SN Subrahmanyam of L&T—favoring ‘70/90-hour working weeks’ as a solution for India’s growth had triggered a raging debate on social media. These remarks drew criticism from a few peers in the corporate world itself. Harsh Goenka, RPG Group Chairman, said that longer working hours is a recipe for burnout and not success. Anand Mahindra of Mahindra Group commented that the focus should be on the quality of work and productivity rather than the amount of time spent working. 

Even medical professionals have raised serious concerns about the ‘90-hours week’, calling it a ‘recipe for disaster’. According to them, overworking for such long hours can lead to burnout, decreased productivity at work, and a poor work-life balance. All this can, in turn, increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress. Over time, the cumulative effects of chronic stress can elevate the risk of heart attack, stroke, and even premature death. A study carried out by the World Health Organization in 2016 concluded that “working 55 or more hours per week is associated with an estimated 35% higher risk of a stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from ischemic heart disease, compared to working 35-40 hours a week. 

The Economic Survey 2024-25 tabled by the Ministry of Finance in Parliament noted that “spending long hours at one’s desk is detrimental to mental wellbeing” and “individuals who spend 12 or more hrs at a desk have distressed/struggling levels of mental wellbeing”. The report also considered “… excessive hours spent working at the desk can adversely affect mental wellbeing and ultimately put the brakes on the pace of economic growth”. 

Interestingly, amidst the ongoing debate, Sanjiv Puri, Chairman, ITC Ltd., emphasized that empowering employees to realize their potential and perform their jobs well is more important than the number of hours put in.   

Reflecting on this perspective, we may take a look at a verse from Chandogya Upanisad: “Yadeva Vidyayā Karoti /Śraddhayopaniṣadā tadeva vīryavattaraṃ bhavatīti (1.1.10)—Whatever work is done with knowledge, / through faith and backed by meditation, / that alone becomes most effective”.

Vidya—knowledge—is the fundamental requirement for work efficiency, providing theoretical and conceptual clarity. However, knowledge without Sraddha—faith—remains static, a mere possession. It is the Sraddha (faith) demonstrated by the seeker that energizes the Vidya (knowledge) transforming it into Karma (action). 

Swami Vivekananda once said: “What makes the difference between man and man is the difference in this Sraddha and nothing else. He who thinks himself weak will become weak.” Faith simply generates ‘belief’. And belief in one’s knowledge-power alone makes things happen. 

Sraddha Sraddhamayoyam purso yo yat Sraddha na eva sah—Man consists of Sraddha. Whatever be the measure of his Sraddha, that will be the measure of his life as well”, says the Bhagavad Gita. Therefore, one needs to acquire Sraddha—this deep faith in oneself, so that one may develop into a dynamic character.

‘Knowledge’ can be imparted, but no training can impart Sraddha. Sraddha has to be captured by oneself. Sraddha is more of a spiritual value. It moves a man from within. It is simply a reflection of the richness of the personality. It imparts an artistic quality to one’s life and work. Faith in oneself, in the divine within, is the greatest source of personality enrichment. Such a person works out of the fullness of one’s heart. 

This flow of man’s energy from faith, Sraddha through knowledge, Vidya to action, Karma is the cornerstone of efficiency. However, this flow is vulnerable to disruptions caused by ups and downs in the emotional life of a person/employee. Inner disintegration or want of integration leads to external disorganization. This automatically lowers efficiency. On the other hand, Upanisad—meditation can help arrest these disturbances. Meditation gathers the mind into itself. When the mind takes leave of the body, thought becomes crystal clear. Upanisad—calm meditation—thus helps in properly directing and disciplining one’s knowledge. It makes one’s actions meaningful, Sarvopakri—good for everyone. 

Upanisad—meditation, fortifies the person/employee and his/her work. This fortification scatters fearlessness, love, and peace all around, uniting ‘philanthropic efficiency with a philosophic calm’. This fusion is what makes the conduct of a person/an employee, or the ‘governance’ of an organization, truly Sarvahit—‘omni-beneficial’. 

Whether in the realm of governance or among the governed, as employers or employees, those who embrace the values of Vidya (knowledge), Sraddha (faith), and Upanisad (meditative insight) can excel in effectiveness, efficiency, and acceptability. Such an approach to one’s Karma (action) enables individuals to realize their full potential in all pursuits. Perhaps, it is these values that organizations should foster in the workplace to nurture a culture of holistic growth and accomplishment. 

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