November 9, 2023: Amid the ongoing debate on optimal working hours for maximum productivity, Inshorts conducted a nationwide survey to gauge people’s views on the ideal working hours per week for professionals in India. With more than 8.95 lakh responses, the poll also garnered insights on the current working hours of professionals in India and their views on how a 70-hour work week will impact productivity.
70-hour work week model: When asked if a 70-hour work week will lead to higher productivity, 84% of respondents answered in the negative. Only 17% of respondents think that working 70 hours a week is sustainable for young professionals. When asked what was their topmost concern if they had to work 70 hours a week, 47% of respondents cited toll on mental/physical health, followed by 45% respondents mentioning that it could result in family/personal life imbalance and 8% of respondents saying it will make them hate their work.
Ideal and actual work hours: 46% of respondents feel that up to 40 working hours in a week are ideal. However, only 25% of respondents actually end up working 40 hours in a week. 36% respondents said they work atleast 41-50 hours a week and 23% respondents work for atleast 51-60 hours a week. A whopping 42% of respondents end up working on weekends and designated work holidays atleast twice a month and 32% of respondents work every weekend.
Work-life balance: When asked if they felt that organizations encourage work-life balance, 61% responded in the negative. Additionally, 56% of respondents feel compelled to respond to work-related emails and messages beyond their working hours or on weekends.
| Inshorts Poll: 70-hour week | ||
| Question | Answer | Percentage |
| According to you, how many working hours in a week are ideal? | Upto 40 hours | 46.25% |
| 41-50 hours | 30.50% | |
| 51-60 hours | 12.95% | |
| 61-70 hours | 5.54% | |
| More than 70 hours | 4.76% | |
| Do you think a 70-hour week will lead to higher productivity? | Yes | 16.11% |
| No | 83.89% | |
| How many hours in a week do you actually end up working? | Upto 40 hours | 25.48% |
| 41-50 hours | 36.33% | |
| 51-60 hours | 22.69% | |
| 61-70 hours | 8.36% | |
| More than 70 hours | 7.14% | |
| Do you think working 70 hours a week is sustainable for young professionals? | Yes | 17.23% |
| No | 82.77% | |
| Do you feel compelled to respond to work emails/messages beyond working hours or weekends? | Yes | 55.60% |
| No | 44.40% | |
| How frequently do you end up working on weekends/designated work holidays? | Almost every week | 32.47% |
| Twice a month | 41.73% | |
| Never | 25.80% | |
| Do you feel that organizations encourage work-life balance these days? | Yes | 38.60% |
| No | 61.40% | |
| What would be your topmost concern regarding a 70-hour work week? | Toll on mental/physical health | 46.70% |
| Family/personal life imbalance | 44.60% | |
| Hating your work/company |
8.7%
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