Sun Jan 12 16:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Economists Slam Glorification of 80-Hour Workweeks
**NEW DELHI –** A growing debate over excessively long working hours has ignited a firestorm among prominent Indian economists and business leaders. The discussion, fueled by recent comments from L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan suggesting 90-hour workweeks, has drawn sharp criticism from leading figures including Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council.
Sanyal condemned the trend, particularly prevalent in American investment banks, calling the pursuit of 80-hour workweeks “silliness.” He argued that enforcing such hours leads to a “moral hazard monitoring problem,” with employees engaging in personal activities during work hours to compensate for the excessive workload. He pointed out that only senior managers, with extensive support staff, can realistically sustain such schedules, leaving others burnt out and neglecting their personal lives.
Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of quality of work over quantity of hours. He argued that significant contributions can be made in far fewer hours. Similarly, former HCL CEO Vineet Nayar criticized the glorification of long hours, stressing the negative impact on well-being and overall productivity.
This debate follows comments from Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy in October, who suggested young Indians should work 70-hour weeks to compete globally. However, his suggestion has been met with resistance, with many arguing that prioritizing work-life balance is crucial for overall well-being and sustainable productivity. The controversy highlights a growing tension between the demands of a competitive global economy and the need for a healthy and balanced work life.
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