In a recent town hall meeting, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman S N Subramanian suggested that employees should consider a 90-hour workweek to accelerate India’s growth. He stated, “We need to put in 90 hour workweek for the next two to three years to make India a developed country.” This comment sparked a great deal of debate. Many question whether longer hours truly translate into greater productivity.
Flaws in the Logic of the 90-Hour Workweek
Although dedication and perseverance are essential to progress, the idea that simply increasing the number of hours worked leads to better results is flawed. Several studies have found that working too hard often results in diminishing returns. With employees feeling burnt out less effective and mentally exhausted Instead, we focus on how long we work.
The real discussion should be about our performance. Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra responded to Subramanian’s statement by emphasizing the importance of long production hours. He remarked, “It’s not about how long you work; it’s about how smartly you work”. This approach is in line with the global trend where companies put more emphasis on results-driven work. Instead of actually spending time at the table
Also Read: Hard Work vs Smart Work: Which is More Important?
Hard Work should be about Efficiency. It’s not Strength
Working hard doesn’t mean spending too much time in the office. True hard work is seriousness, concentration, and strategic effort. Effective hard work looks like this:
- Intense Focus: Work with deep concentration. Instead of stretching the work out to extended hours.
- Delivering Excellence: Producing meaningful work that adds value rather than just filling time.
- Sustained Effort: Maintain high performance without compromising well-being.
- Purpose-Driven Action: Aligning efforts with meaningful goals that drive long-term success.
A well-rested and mentally agile professional can achieve success in six productive hours. Just like an overworked person might struggle to get it done in twelve hours.
The Hidden Costs of Working Too Hard
The enormity of excessive work hours often comes with a cost. Both physical and mental health creativity and long-term incentives. Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, of Bajaj Auto, addressed the concerns. “Working longer does not necessarily lead to better results. But it can stifle creativity and reduce overall productivity. Stressed employees are not innovative. But innovation is what ultimately drives progress.”
In addition, many countries with high production rates, such as Germany and the Netherlands, have a short average working week, which proves that efficiency, not labor, is the key to success.
Also Read: The Rise of Work-Life Balance
The Future of Work: A Smarter Approach
In order for the business to be truly successful They must shift their focus from long hours to fostering a smarter work culture. Institutions should:
- Promote deep work: Prioritize focused, high-value work. Rather than unnecessarily combining multiple tasks.
- Measure results, not hours: Move performance assessments from time spent to actual impact.
- Promotes employee wellbeing: Well-rested employees are productive employees.
- Practical technology for efficiency: Use automation and AI to eliminate duplication of work.
It calls for Resolute Effort
India’s growth does not depend on how long experts work. But it also depends on their performance. Fostering a culture where employees feel inspired, valued, and challenged, without being overburdened. Will drive sustainable progress further than pushing for longer. While the debate continues One thing is clear. Hard work should be about being productive. Not patience Productivity is not a function of labor. But it is a smart, purpose-driven endeavor. But success doesn’t depend on how many hours you put in, it’s about what you accomplish!!
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