Are long work weeks the key to success or a recipe for burnout?

The debate sparked by industry stalwarts like Mr. S. N. Subrahmanyan and Mr. NR Narayana Murthy on 90-hour and 70-hour work weeks has reignited a fundamental question: How much is too much?

Reflecting on my own experiences, I've had the opportunity to witness both sides of the spectrum:
At Ruby Seven Studios India (ChaYoWo Games), we transitioned from a 6-day work week to a 5-day week when moving to Infopark, Kochi. The rationale? Aligning with industry norms to retain talent. After initial unease, it became a smooth and effective change.

On the other hand, Manappuram Comptech and Consultants Ltd. moved back to a 6-day work week to ensure seamless operations with its parent and sister companies. Despite some initial resistance, the adjustment was accepted, and business continued as usual.

What stood out in both cases? These were gut-driven decisions, not the result of in-depth studies or cost-benefit analyses of productivity, employee well-being, or organizational outcomes.

From an HR perspective, I've often wondered:
1️⃣ Are longer hours a genuine necessity?
2️⃣ Or are they an attempt to compensate for inefficiencies and lack of discipline in the workplace?

While I personally favor the convenience of a 5-day work week, I also recognize the complexities involved in balancing employee needs with organizational demands.

Now, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below! 💬
🔍 Do long work weeks boost productivity or simply lead to burnout?
🔎 Have you seen data-backed decisions in your organization regarding work schedules, or do gut feelings still dominate?

Subhash BV Neethu M NEENA M Dr.Renjith PR Anish Aravind Bevin Varghese Mathews Deepak Krishnadas Sajan Janardanan Adarsh Kumar

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