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In response to Infosys founder Narayana Murthy’s suggestion for young individuals in India to work 70 hours per week, numerous doctors across the country have warned of potential health risks, including an increased likelihood of heart attacks, heightened stress levels, anxiety, and physical discomfort such as back pain.
Murthy made this recommendation during a podcast, asserting that if India aims to compete with developed economies that have demonstrated significant progress in recent decades, young people should commit to a 70-hour workweek.
Dr. Deepak Krishnamurthy, a cardiologist based in Bengaluru, dissected the daily schedule of an average professional, highlighting the limited time available for personal activities after extended work hours. He emphasized the scarcity of time for socializing, family interactions, exercise, and leisure activities, noting that companies also expect employees to be reachable for emails and calls even after regular work hours. Dr. Krishnamurthy underscored the connection between this demanding work schedule and the rising incidence of heart attacks among young individuals.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that working more than 55 hours per week leads to a 35 percent higher risk of stroke and a 17 percent higher risk of heart disease, compared to a 35-40 hour workweek.
In a paper published in Environment International in 2021, the WHO and the International Labour Organization revealed that long working hours resulted in 745,000 deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease in 2016, marking a 29 percent increase since 2000.
Dr. Ambrish Mithal, Chairman of Endocrinology and Diabetes at Max HealthCare, asserted that a 70-hour workweek should not be established as the standard or even recommended. While he acknowledged that many individuals achieve success in their youth through such intensive work, he emphasized that it should not be mandated.
Dr. Maninee, a pediatrician, stated that prolonged working hours can strain family relationships and potentially contribute to autism in children. She attributed this phenomenon to a toxic work culture and the resulting lack of quality time spent with children.
Dr. Sidharth Unnithan, a sports medicine physician, deemed a 70-hour workweek as “ridiculous,” expressing concerns about the toll it would take on physical and mental well-being.
Some doctors argued that working long hours should be a matter of personal choice rather than an imposed requirement. Dr. Karthik Balachandran, an Endocrinologist at SRMC in Chennai, suggested that working extensive hours could be justified if it is for one’s own endeavors and ultimately leads to personal success and financial gain. He cautioned against working excessively for someone else’s benefit, particularly in a draining job with minimal compensation.
Dr. Mukharjee Madivada, an interventional cardiologist at Pulse Heart Charitable Trust, emphasized that the decision to work beyond 70 hours per week should be driven by personal motivation rather than external pressures. He cautioned against blindly following such advice without considering its potential consequences on health and well-being.
