Recently a very well known, renowned personality from IT industry said that youth must work for 70 hours per week to contribute to nation building.

Well, Very respectfully, with all the respect in my heart to this personality, I disagree and reject this idea that working 70 hours a week is necessary for success or national growth.

Why? I have some observations of myself and some references of studies to prove my point:

1. Work Life Balance to gaya 

First, maintaining a work-life balance is crucial. When we spend so much time working, it leaves little room for relationships with family and friends. Over time, this can strain personal connections and lead to feelings of isolation. Relationships are just as important to our happiness as our careers, and they need time and attention to grow.

2. Health bhi gayi, no doubt!

Second, working excessively can hurt our health. Long hours often mean less time for exercise, rest, and relaxation. This can lead to stress, burnout, and even physical health issues like fatigue or chronic illnesses. Our bodies and minds need proper rest to function at their best.

3. Results aur productivity ka kya?

Lastly, working this much doesn’t guarantee better results. In fact, many studies show that after a certain point, productivity starts to decline with longer hours. We can achieve more by working smarter, not harder. Taking breaks, having hobbies, and spending time with loved ones can actually make us more focused and creative at work.

In the end, while hard work is important, 70 hours a week is simply too much. We need to find a balance that allows us to succeed in our careers without sacrificing our health or happiness.

Which studies? Here are the notable ones I found in this context:

Several studies have shown that working long hours can lead to reduced productivity and have negative impacts on health and well-being:

1. Stanford University Study:
   • Researchers at Stanford University found that productivity declines sharply after 50 hours of work per week. After 55 hours, there’s no noticeable improvement in output, and working up to 70 hours provides no additional benefits. This study highlights that working longer hours does not translate into higher productivity.
   • Source: Stanford University – “The Productivity Cost of Long Hours“
2. OECD Research:
   • The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that countries with shorter average work weeks, like Germany, tend to have higher levels of productivity compared to countries with longer work hours, such as Mexico. This suggests that fewer working hours can result in more efficient and productive output.
   • Source: OECD Better Life Index – “Work-Life Balance“
3. The Journal of Labor Economics:
   • A study published in the Journal of Labor Economics showed that working long hours can lead to mental and physical exhaustion, which diminishes cognitive functioning and reduces the quality and quantity of output.
   • Source: Journal of Labor Economics – “Working Hours, Fatigue, and Productivity“

These studies collectively show that long hours are not only unproductive but also harmful to overall health and well-being, underlining the importance of a balanced work schedule.

Views/Suggestions are welcome from everyone to add more perspective to this article. 🙂

Please mail me to mangesh(at)mangesh(dot)in