The work-hours debate was fuelled recently by the L&T Chairman’s comments about a 90-hour work week, in an interview where he also goes on to ask a whimsical question, “How long can you stare at your wife?” His recommendation topped the earlier 70-hour work-week recommendation by the Infosys Chairman last year.
Such comments from business leaders show how disconnected corporations are from the needs of current generations. Leaders should consult HR departments to understand how hard it is to find and retain ‘good’ talent, even in a slow market.
Gen-Z doesn’t want to work beyond the stipulated hours, and rightly so. Gone are the days when slogging for 16 hours, 7 days a week was a norm (and appreciated). That culture was unhealthy and toxic and it’s good to see it being pushed back by the new breed of demanding employees.
How Many Hours Are Enough?
The debate on the number of working hours is illogical, especially in the context of the knowledge industry. Aren’t 40 hours a week good enough? Will even 90 hours be enough?
Counting hours is not going to help the cause. Organizations should focus on the output employees produce and the quality of that output, rather than worrying about the number of hours they spend. As Anand Mahindra in a recent interview rightly mentioned “Quality over Quantity” at work.
Tired, frustrated employees will make more mistakes, and the cost of rework will exceed the cost of doing it right the first time.
Life Happens Outside of Work
A handful of old geezers have made work their life and spent their youth working and now they want the same from their employees. Surprise! Life is what happens outside when you are sitting in your cubicle and working. Life is much more than work.
If there were no incentive to enjoy life, social interactions, traveling, adventures, or staring at your spouse, then people wouldn’t have the motivation to work. All of the outside interactions and experiences make a person whole and that’s the personality that they bring with them to work. Companies don’t provide energy, rejuvenation, enthusiasm, health, and passion to employees; they gain these qualities from employees’ lives outside of work.
Should Higher Salaries and Designation Mean More Work?
Higher salaries or designation doesn’t necessarily have to mean more work. Any amount of salary can’t buy more than 24 hours a day. Salaries and designations are based on skills and experiences, not the number of hours you can spend.
The salaries and designations are often commensurate with your experience. And you gain experience with age. The more you age, the higher your personal and social responsibilities are, and the more increased your health concerns. These life aspects also demand your attention and if your health is compromised then you may not be able to even work. Neither Salary nor Designation can help with that.
Nation Building Rehotric
It’s disheartening that when logic fails, leaders resort to political rhetoric and nation-building claims. This is India’s time, our decade, and as such.
Many generations before us have built the nation and contributed to the growth of the country. And we are making our contribution as well. Through our work, by contributing to society, helping the needy, teaching our kids values, and countless other activities. You are able to recognize this as India’s decade due to the extraordinary efforts already given by millions of citizens from all walks of life.
Sitting for 16 hours a day in unproductive meetings and listening to unnecessary corporate speeches isn’t the only way to contribute to the nation’s growth.
Where Should We Go From Here?
It’s time that business leaders understand the attitude shift of the working populace. They need to connect directly with employees to understand their needs, sacrifices, and priorities—beyond official town halls—and align business models accordingly.
Look at the output and the quality rather than counting hours. And lastly, it’s not always essential to ‘say something‘. Shut the hell up if you are so devoid of reality and have nothing good or insightful to say.