Long work hours harm health and productivity, while shorter work weeks promote physical and mental well-being and economic growth.
Long work hours do not increase productivity, but rather affect your
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Does working long hours drive growth?
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), India ranks 13th among the most overworked countries in the world. However, does working long hours increase productivity and help the country grow?
In 2023, US productivity per hour of work, measured as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per hour worked, was $70 with only 34 hours of work per week. Countries like Japan and Germany also have shorter work weeks and focus on work-life balance.
All of these countries have a higher GDP per capita than countries that work longer hours. This raises the question of whether overwork is the key to economic growth or whether it comes at the expense of workers’ well-being.
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India: Overworked but unproductive?
On average, Indian employees work 46.7 hours a week, and 51% of the workforce works more than 49 hours a week. However, the country’s GDP is still lower than that of developed countries with fewer working hours.
The economic growth of a country depends on the quality of work and not the quantity of work. According to a 2021 report from the United Nations, long working hours can have adverse health effects and can even lead to death.
The September 2021 joint assessment of UN health and labor agencies stated that work-related injuries and illnesses kill nearly two million people a year. The World Health Organization (WHO) has found that working 55 hours or more per week can increase the risk of suffering from stroke by 35% and increase the risk of dying from heart disease by 17%.
Overwork is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, premature death, burnout, lower productivity at work, negative impact on employees’ work-life balance, unhealthy relationships, less time for sleep and exercise, and increased risk of depression, anxietyand stress.
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Ford’s 40-hour work week: why it works
Generally, the standard workday for an employee is eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. However, this number has increased over time.
More than a century ago, Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor, reduced the standard 60+ hour work schedule to a 40-hour week concept with no change in wages. The policy was implemented on September 25, 1926, when factories had to run full time and employees worked 10 to 16 hours a day.
Every man needs more than one day a week to rest and recreate. Employees should spend more time with their family in their week off to have a healthy life both physically and mentally. The overall well-being of employees is the key to productivity with greater efficiency.
Source-Medindia