Way Beyond The 9-to-5: Could A 70-Hour Workweek Ever Be A Good Thing?

• Infosys founder Narayana Murthy’s suggestion for extended 70-hour workweeks has sparked a heated debate, with contrasting viewpoints on productivity and personal well-being.
• There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the optimal length of the workweek.; it requires a careful balancing act between economic objectives and the well-being of the workforce.
• It’s important to consider the sectoral composition of an economy when determining the optimal workweek length.

While there’s been much talk about the sought-after four-day workweek, or even the five-day, 32-hour workweek, have you heard of the proposed 70-hour workweek? 

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy’s suggestion for extended 70-hour workweeks has sparked a heated debate in India, with contrasting viewpoints on productivity and personal well-being. His proposal has been met with resistance from labor organizations and health professionals, while some business leaders have shown support, viewing longer working hours as a potential boost to economic progress. 

Central to this controversy is the balance between traditional views of diligence and the modern emphasis on life quality.

“On the surface, the logic behind Murthy’s call is simple: more time spent working equals more tasks completed, but productivity isn’t solely determined by the number of hours thrown at a project,” Aaron Rubens, Co-founder and CEO of Kudoboard, told Allwork.Space. “Workers won’t be able to continue with the same levels of output well past their breaking point. Not only that, they can’t keep working at the same blistering pace quarter-over-quarter.”

Globally, there are variations in legal workweek lengths, with countries such as Mexico, India, and South Korea permitting longer than the typical 40-hour weeks. In sectors known for their high-stress environments, like finance and technology startups, it’s not uncommon for employees to work between 60 and 100 hours per week.

Economic differences play a part in the workweek length

The length of the workweek that a country might aim to implement can be influenced by a variety of factors, including economic goals, cultural values, and social welfare considerations. 

When a country is focused on raising the economic quality of life, it may prioritize policies that are designed to increase productivity, gross domestic product (GDP), and economic competitiveness. In contrast, a country that is trying to balance work/life values might place greater emphasis on worker well-being, family time, and overall life satisfaction.

For a country intent on improving economic quality of life, longer workweeks could theoretically lead to more output if additional working hours translate into greater productivity. However, this assumption depends on the nature of the work and whether extended hours actually lead to sustained increases in productivity. 

There are diminishing returns to working additional hours; at some point, workers become fatigued, which can lead to decreased productivity, higher error rates, and potential negative health outcomes.

Conversely, a shorter workweek, such as a four-day workweek, is often proposed as a way to improve work/life balance. The idea is that with more time off, workers can rest and engage in personal activities, which can lead to increased job satisfaction, reduced burnout, and potentially even increased productivity during working hours. 

“Contrary to Murthy’s call, prioritizing work-life balance and employee well-being is a more constructive way to improve overall productivity. When given time to rest and recharge, employees apply themselves with greater motivation, positivity, and efficacy in their work. Combine that with a workplace culture of appreciation that acknowledges contributions and recognizes wins, and employers see improved retention and employee happiness overall,” Rubens said.

Additionally, technological advancements play a crucial role. Automation and artificial intelligence can increase productivity without extending the workweek, potentially allowing for shorter workweeks without sacrificing economic growth.

“Productivity, in this case, is moreso about time spent applying one’s whole self to work rather than just physical output. It’s more than just staring at a computer screen for 10 hours a day, 7 days a week; it’s about creating innovative solutions to complex problems,” Rubens added. “If the workplace loses that perspective, they’ll lose valuable ideas and, ultimately, raw talent, putting them at an even greater disadvantage against competitors like China. While a creative solution, Murthy’s call for a 70-hour workweek will likely result in nothing but declining task-completion returns on a ballooning payroll budget.” 

In summary, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the optimal length of the workweek. It requires a careful balancing act between economic objectives and the well-being of the workforce, taking into account the unique context of each country, including its economic structure, technological level, and cultural attitudes towards work and leisure.