Indian firm deploys software for work-life balance

What’s going on:  

Softgrid Computers, a small IT company in the central Indian city of Indore, has come up with an innovative way to ensure its employees can achieve a healthy work-life balance by creating software that reminds them when it’s time to wrap up their shifts and head home.  

This software is equipped with a notification system that kicks in when the employee’s shift is complete, warning them that “the office system will shut down in 10 minutes” and politely reminding them to “please go home.” 

Why it matters:  

“The thought behind this is providing employees a good work-life balance so that they can spend time with their families and loved ones,” Chief Executive Ajay Golani told Reuters partner ANI. 

Amidst global research and increased focus on the health and relationship repercussions of long working hours, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning in 2021 that working for 55 hours or more a week can increase a person’s risk of stroke by a staggering 35%, and the probability of death by coronary heart disease by 17%. 

How it’ll impact the future:  

News of this software hit the internet, and people seemed to really like the idea of it. Work-life balance is becoming more of a priority for workers, and it’s encouraging to see that some employers are also beginning to prioritize it for the well-being of their workers.  

The buzz generated by this new software might inspire similar softwares to be created and implemented. Who knows, maybe one day a “go home” or “log out” software might become the norm.