Hustle and Health: The New Work Culture in India

_{Insights on the “Hustle Culture” of Indian Startups, and how important mental well being and work-life balance is to have a more productive work culture in India.}

“You’re young. Hustle. Work hard. You should not be thinking about time, working hours, stress, or any of that.” said the uncle sitting by the window seat of a Mumbai local, chatting with his train companions, who were a mix of teenagers, office goers, and folks nearing retirement.

“But what about my me time?” asks the Gen Z corporate worker, quickly quashing the narrative Uncle was trying to set. 

This is the chatter going on around the country at this point. Some suggest that you should be ready to hustle and work extra-hours, while some want people to concentrate on their families, their mental health, and personal well-being beyond just their office or professional life. India currently ranks as the second most overworked nation globally, behind a small neighboring nation – Bhutan.

Mr. Murthy: The Flag Bearer of Working Overtime

We have had some of the biggest industrialists echo the sentiments of the old uncle when it comes to work-life balance and the so-called “me” time. Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy is one such individual who is probably becoming the flag bearer of working hard and not caring about mental health in the country. The ace founder has often been found suggesting how he used to put in the hard yards in his early days to reach where he is at this phase of his life. He suggests that the youngsters need to be ready to work harder to take the nation forward.

Last year, during an interview, Mr. Murthy suggested that the youngsters of the country should be prepared to work 70 hours a week. Citing his own example, Murthy shared that he used to work around 85-90 hours a week in his younger days and continued to put in those kinds of hours every week until his retirement. He faced a massive backlash for his remarks, but the Infosys founder wasn’t backing out from his earlier statement. 

However, he later suggested that working hours are not important, as long as productivity is not decreasing. He often talks about the sacrifice of personal time for professional growth and criticizes millennials’ desire for work-life balance.

Now, is it even practically possible to work this way for a generation that talks about mental health and mental well-being? In no way would the younger generation back out from working hard and even extra hours as and when needed, but that might end up becoming the norm is the fear of the younger generation. And they are not wrong in believing so. 

Deaths due to Pressure and Overworking

Today, the pressure on the employees is unimaginable. The bosses are almost on their faces with their approach all the time. To get the work done, they put undue pressure on their subordinates. There was a recent case of the passing away of a young employee at reputed EY (Ernst & Young) due to work stress and pressure.

Tarun Saxena, a 42-year-old, employed with Bajaj Finance chose to end his life after he failed to live up to the expectations of the targets the company set for him. Saxena was forced to meet the target and if he didn’t, he was threatened with a salary deduction. These are just a couple of examples that bring the issue of work-life balance to the forefront.

And this is where the likes of Mr. Murthy need to be questioned. No work or delivery can be more important than an individual’s life. While there are companies that try their best to make sure their team members are not put in a spot due to undue pressure and stress, the number is a bare minimum.

The problem doesn’t just go away with the older generation Entrepreneurs or CEO’s though. Lately, even the younger generation Startup founders too seem to dip their toes in this toxicity curtained behind “hustle culture”.

Even youngsters like OLA CEO Bhavish Agarawal have questioned the necessity of Weekends, and claims that “Sundays” are a western import, at an interview with YourStory.

I don’t think work-life balance is the right construct. Again it’s a contrarian view. There will be people who will disagree with me. Many people will disagree with me, but I believe… Let me actually take a historical perspective first and then I will tell you… the philosophy I live by. This Saturday-Sunday is not an Indian thing. This is a Western thing.

Bhavish Aggarwal

Zepto is also allegedly overworking their staff, as per an anonymous employee on social media platform reddit. Reddit is often filled with these kinds of posts especially on r/StartupIndia, that highlight the kind of torture the young employees usually face frequently at their workplace. New age-founders and LinkedIn gurus unfortunately praise this hustle culture a lot.

What does Science say?

Studies suggest that adults need around 7-9 hours of sleep per night to remain productive and mentally sharp. Research from Harvard Medical School highlights that sleep deprivation can lead to reduced cognitive performance, impaired decision-making, and long-term health risks such as stress, blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and other lethal impacts. 

A Stanford study on productivity showed that working beyond 50 hours a week causes a sharp decline in output, with those putting in 70+ hours producing just a little more than their 50-hour peers.

Global Scenario

Japan is known for its grueling work culture. Long working hours, high levels of stress, and phenomena like “karoshi” (death from overwork) used to be a norm. However, over the last few years the government has introduced policies to limit overtime and promote paid leave.

European countries like Sweden and Germany have experimented with timings and found out that having proper work-life balance has actually boosted productivity and employee well-being. Germany, in fact, has some of the highest productivity levels in the world and they are working towards an average of 34-36 hours per week, prioritizing efficiency over long hours. 

Most Indian professionals work 48-60 hours a week at minimum. However, the majority of this planned work time goes out the window due to delivery deadlines, forcing employees to work late at night, work on weekends, and in some cases even during their off days.

The Final Call

What does the future look like then? The Millennials and Gen Z are smart workers. As long as the job is getting done perfectly and efficiently, and there is no compromise with regard to the quality of the delivered output, the working hours should not even be a discussion point. 

The current scenario demands a nuanced approach. It should not be about choosing between hard work and well-being, but integrating both effectively. Employees are their best when they are happy. Companies that recognize this balance will be able to attract and retain top talent, drive innovation, and create sustainable growth.

In fact, the transformation of work culture is not a generational conflict but an opportunity for collective growth and re-imagining professional success.

India’s work culture must evolve to honor the growing need for a stress-free life. While the hustle narrative may have its merits, peace of mind and work-life balance are essential for a thriving workforce. Success should be measured not just in hours worked but in the harmony between professional achievements and personal well-being.

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