The 2024-25 Economic Survey warns that long work hours (over 60 per week) can damage mental health and productivity. Discover key insights and findings.
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Economic Survey 2024-25 Warns Against 60+ Hour Work Weeks: Health Risks and Productivity Concerns
The pre-Budget Economic Survey 2024-25, released on January 31, 2025, has issued a stern warning regarding the negative effects of long working hours on mental health and overall productivity. The survey highlighted the dangers of a work culture that encourages employees to work excessive hours, citing studies that show a clear link between long workdays and increased stress levels, absenteeism, and long-term health issues.
The Mental Health Cost of Long Work Hours
The survey notes that working over 60 hours a week, especially spending more than 12 hours a day at a desk, significantly harms mental well-being. Studies from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have highlighted the severe mental and physical health risks of such prolonged work schedules.
The survey referenced a study by Pega F and Nafradi B (2021), as well as the WHO/ILO’s systematic analysis of work-related diseases, which documents that mental well-being drastically deteriorates when individuals work more than 55-60 hours a week. These findings align with research from the Sapien Labs Centre for Human Brain and Mind, which found that people spending 12 or more hours a day at their desks report much lower mental well-being scores—approximately 100 points lower—compared to those who spend only a few hours at their desks.
“While working hours are often viewed as a measure of productivity, studies clearly show that working long hours can lead to adverse health outcomes,” the survey stated.
The Hidden and Apparent Dangers of the 70-90 Hour Workweek Debate
In the context of an ongoing debate surrounding the 70-90 hour workweek, the survey draws attention to the growing calls from corporate leaders like S. N. Subrahmanyan, chairman of Larsen & Toubro, who recently advocated for a 90-hour workweek. This statement followed similar remarks from other influential figures, such as Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, who pushed for a 70-hour workweek, and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, who controversially claimed that spending more than eight hours at home could damage personal relationships.
However, this view is not universally supported. Many business leaders have raised concerns about the impact of long working hours on employee well-being. RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka warned that such excessive hours lead to burnout rather than success. Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group, emphasized the importance of productivity over simply counting hours worked. Similarly, ITC Ltd Chairman Sanjiv Puri stated that employee empowerment and quality of work are more important than the number of hours spent at the desk.
The Economic Impact of Poor Workplace Culture and Excessive Work Hours
The Economic Survey also draws attention to the broader impact of unhealthy workplace cultures, particularly the link between poor managerial relationships, a lack of job satisfaction, and increased absenteeism. Even in workplaces with positive managerial relationships, employees still lose an average of five days per month due to work-related stress, the survey found.
Globally, the financial burden of mental health issues like anxiety and depression is staggering. According to WHO estimates, mental health conditions contribute to the loss of 12 billion workdays annually, resulting in an economic loss of around $1 trillion globally. In India, this amounts to a loss of approximately ₹7,000 per lost workday.
By recognizing these statistics, the survey argues that focusing on mental health and improving workplace culture is not just a moral responsibility—it’s also essential for improving overall economic productivity.
India’s Economic Ambitions and the Importance of Work-Life Balance
The survey’s key message is clear: India’s economic growth ambitions can only be met if lifestyle choices, including work-life balance, are prioritized. The survey pointed out that unhealthy work cultures and excessively long work hours could undermine India’s economic progress, rather than accelerate it.
Drawing parallels to China’s infamous ‘996 culture’—a work schedule requiring employees to work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week—the Economic Survey stressed that such work habits should be avoided in India. Instead, a focus on sustainable work practices that prioritize employee well-being and mental health is critical.
“Focusing on work-life balance and reducing the emphasis on excessive hours could significantly improve mental health, enhance productivity, and ultimately contribute to India’s long-term economic growth,” the survey concluded.
Key Takeaways from the Economic Survey 2024-25:
- Long Work Hours Impact Mental Health: The survey emphasizes the severe mental health risks of working over 60 hours a week, with individuals spending more than 12 hours a day at their desks reporting significantly lower well-being scores.
- Adverse Health Effects: Studies document that working more than 55-60 hours a week can lead to detrimental health outcomes, including higher stress and lower productivity.
- Economic Losses Due to Mental Health: Mental health conditions contribute to the loss of billions of workdays globally, with India losing approximately ₹7,000 per day for each stressed employee.
- Workplace Culture Matters: Positive managerial relationships and supportive work environments are key to reducing absenteeism and improving overall productivity. Even in the best work environments, stress-related absenteeism remains a challenge.
- Balancing Economic Growth with Employee Well-Being: The survey stresses that India’s economic success depends on fostering healthy workplace cultures, supporting mental health, and striking a balance between work and personal life.
