Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan recently suggested that employees should work 90 hours a week, including Sundays, to enhance productivity. This proposal has sparked significant debate, particularly regarding its alignment with India's labor laws.

The "90-Hour Workweek" controversy erupted after a Reddit video of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's comments on work culture went viral. Murthy suggested employees should work on Sundays, expressing regret over not being able to mandate it. He questioned how long one could "stare at their spouse" at home. He claimed that Chinese professionals work 90 hours a week while Americans work 50, emphasizing the need for extended hours to achieve global success. The remarks sparked widespread debate about work-life balance and corporate expectations in India.

Is 90 hours workweek even legal in India?

Under the Code on Wages, 2019, India's labor laws stipulate maximum working hours, the standard workweek is capped at 48 hours, typically spread over six days, with a maximum of 9 hours per day. Any work beyond these hours is considered overtime and must be compensated at twice the regular wage rate. Employee are entitled to one day off each week, usually Sunday. Therefore, a 90-hour workweek would exceed these legal limits and could be deemed unlawful.

Section 51 of the Factories Act mandates that no adult worker shall be required or allowed to work in a factory for more than forty-eight hours in any week.

Health and Productivity Concerns:

Research indicates that excessively long working hours can lead to Health Issues, increasing risk of heart disease, stroke, and mental health problems. Studies have shown that productivity significantly declines after 50 hours of work per week. Implementing a 90-hour workweek could therefore be detrimental to both employee well-being and overall productivity. 

Industry Reactions:

Subrahmanyan's remarks have faced criticism from various industry leaders:

Harsh Goenka, Chairman of RPG Enterprises, stated, "Work-life balance isn’t optional, it’s essential."

Harsh Mariwala, Chairman of Marico, emphasized that success is about the quality and passion brought to work, not merely the number of hours.

Thus, while striving for increased productivity is commendable, proposals like a 90-hour workweek conflict with India's labor laws and pose significant health risks to employees. A balanced approach that adheres to legal standards and prioritizes employee well-being is essential for sustainable productivity and growth