The corporate world is currently divided over work hours, following recent comments from prominent business leaders advocating for longer working weeks. While the debate began with Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s call for a 70-hour workweek, the divide has been intensified by S.N. Subrahmanyan, chairman of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), who suggested employees should work 90-hour weeks, including Sundays, to boost productivity. His remarks have sparked widespread controversy, with critics labelling them a “burnout recipe” detrimental to employee well-being.
Dr Jaiben George
Meanwhile, several other industry leaders, especially those who are not into any sort of outsourcing or IT contracting business, countered the 90-hour work philosophy, and critics have pointed out that if India strictly enforces overtime pay for employees working over 40 hours a week, corporate leaders advocating for longer hours might shift their stance towards promoting “work-life balance”.
The corporate world may be divided, but the medical community is united in its concern about the adverse effects of long working hours, especially for those in desk jobs. “The health concerns of prolonged sitting are becoming more widespread due to the current work model, which promotes sedentary labour,” says Dr Pradeep Kumar D., senior consultant, cardiology, Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur. “Extended periods of sitting with minimal movement or exercise are linked to several serious illnesses, including diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.”
Dr Jaiben George, an orthopaedic surgeon at AIIMS New Delhi, says maintaining the same posture for prolonged periods can cause lower back issues and neck pain. According to him, a sedentary lifestyle can lead to metabolic syndrome―characterised by high body fat, elevated blood lipid levels, and increased blood sugar―which raises the risk of heart disease. Jaiben notes that repetitive activities may result in wear-and-tear injuries in frequently used body parts, commonly referred to as “occupational hazards”.
Sunlight exposure plays a crucial role in circulation, as it increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure. Pradeep says prolonged sitting without breaks or sunlight exposure can impair circulation, cause mild to moderate fatigue and lower energy levels. “Over time,” he says, “these issues can escalate, affecting both the body and the mind.”
Dr Kumar K.A., senior consultant, department of psychiatry & behavioural medicine at KIMSHEALTH, Thiruvananthapuram, says concentration issues, slowing or clouding of thinking and psychomotor retardation are major cognitive dysfunctions associated with long desk hours. “Apathy, depression and fatigue syndrome are other disturbances caused by prolonged sitting and insufficient sleep,” he adds.
Dr Kumar K.A.
According to Kumar, another significant issue with office jobs is the lack of meaningful human interactions. “Data processing and decision-making tasks are often monotonous and can have a dehumanising effect,” he explains. “Performing these tasks for extended hours can benumb a person. It is crucial to engage in human interactions at home and outside after work hours, and to take two days off every week, to restore vitality and humanise one’s living environment.”
Poor posture can be a major issue for individuals in desk jobs, particularly in fields like IT. “Prolonged poor posture can strain the muscles that maintain posture, leading to fatigue and aching pain. When this happens repeatedly, it can result in chronic back and neck problems, although these issues are often multifactorial,” says Jaiben.
Long working hours are also linked to episodes of workplace burnout. According to Jaiben, burnout can affect anyone, especially those engaged in continuous, monotonous tasks. “It’s particularly common in jobs that are repetitive and time-consuming, but offer little reward,” he says. “For most people, office jobs are simply a way to earn money. If they don’t have time to spend that money on activities they enjoy, frustration is likely to set in.”
To avoid burnout and reduced productivity, it is essential to take regular breaks and make sure you have enough time to recuperate. “Long stretches of unbroken labour are significantly less productive than short breaks and the occasional long weekend. By encouraging physical rest and aiding in mental recuperation, these breaks improve concentration when going back to work,” says Pradeep.
Spending excessive hours on office work significantly reduces quality time at home and limits meaningful social interactions. Kumar warns that this can lead to behavioural deviations and disorders. “Depressive disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, sleep disturbances and sexual dysfunctions are common in such individuals,” he says. “Addictions to tobacco, alcohol and other substances are also prevalent. Lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver and high cholesterol levels are frequently observed.”
Marital discord and interpersonal issues within and outside the family are often seen in the families of workaholics. “These issues, in turn, exacerbate depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and addiction disorders, creating a spiralling vicious cycle,” says Kumar.
Dr Pradeep Kumar D.
Doctors stress the importance of taking short breaks during work hours to maintain productivity and mental health. “Most individuals can sustain maximum attention for 55 minutes to an hour and a half. Beyond that, productivity declines as mental fatigue sets in,” says Pradeep.
Taking quick 10- to 15-minute breaks every two hours can significantly improve focus and reduce mental exhaustion. “These breaks provide a mental reset, allowing workers to return to their tasks feeling refreshed and more efficient,” says Pradeep. “Additionally, this approach minimises the risk of health issues related to prolonged sitting, such as deep vein thrombosis, back pain and neck pain.”
While it is undeniable that long working hours pose significant challenges, determining the ideal working hours for both health and productivity remains subjective. “Although there isn’t a definitive solution, several studies suggest that 35 to 40 hours per week is generally optimal for most office workers,” says Pradeep.
He also highlights the paradox of long working hours within the medical community. “Physicians, who are often at the forefront of advising patients on health and well-being, frequently endure the harmful effects of extended workdays themselves,” he says.
Many doctors struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle, working long shifts under high stress due to the demanding nature of their profession. “Compared to the general population, doctors are more prone to conditions such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes and even stroke. Ironically, despite their knowledge of the importance of good health habits, they often neglect their own well-being,” he says.
This neglect has serious consequences. “Doctors typically have a lower life expectancy, living 5–10 years less than the general population,” says Pradeep. “This stark statistic underscores the risks of prioritising professional responsibilities at the expense of personal health.”