90 Hours Work Week: Amid the ongoing debates regarding work culture in India, a chartered accountant has come forward to share her personal experience with work culture. Neetu Mohanka, who has gone from being a successful chartered accountant to a mindset coach, recently took to Instagram to express her thoughts on the negative impact of hustle culture on personal life amid the debates surrounding the 90-hour work week.
In her post, Mohanka highlighted how the allure of bustling culture often leads individuals to prioritize work over important milestones in their personal lives. She recalled a time when she herself fell into the trap of working long hours and sacrificing precious moments with her family. It was only when her young daughter painted a family picture without her, citing her absence due to work commitments, that Mohanka realized how much the bustling culture had affected her life.
“Hustle culture is tempting. But the promise of ‘grind now, enjoy later’ rarely delivers,” Mohanka wrote on social media platform Instagram. “10 years ago, I was that person. Wearing a 14-hour workday like a badge of honor. Answering emails at 3am. I lost my daughter’s first steps because “the client meeting can’t wait.” Do you know what finally stopped me? A drawing from my 5-year-old child. A family photo where I wasn’t in it. When her teacher asked her why, she said: “Mama is always in the office.”
These thoughts are a poignant reminder of the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and prioritizing personal well-being amid the pressures of a demanding work culture.
Mohanka’s post came against the backdrop of recent events following controversial comments made by L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, who suggested a 90-hour work week. In a widely circulated video from an undisclosed internal meeting, Subramanian expressed disappointment at the inability to get employees to work on Sundays.
In her post, Mohanka stressed that long working hours may not always be beneficial. She pointed out that efficiency decreases significantly after exceeding 55 working hours per week, as long working hours can lead to exhaustion, decreased innovation, and strained relationships between people.
90 hours versus 70 hours
In a widely shared video, Larsen & Toubro Chairman SN Subrahmanian faced criticism for suggesting that employees work 90 hours a week, including working on Sundays.
Responding to a question regarding the lack of a Saturday holiday, Subramanian expressed his preference for employees to work 90 hours a week, a marked increase from the 70 hours a week suggested by Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy. He also referred to a Chinese contact who asserted that China could outperform the United States (US) since Americans only work 50 hours a week.
During the discussion, Subramanian expressed his frustration at not being able to get the employees to work all seven days of the week and suggested that they come in and start working instead of staying at home.
He mentioned his desire to work on Sundays and expressed his desire for employees to do the same, explaining that it would make him happier.
Subramanian’s remarks, reminiscent of Narayana Murthy’s earlier controversial comments on a 70-hour work week, sparked online discussions regarding the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance in the private sector in India.
In a statement, a company spokesperson said: “At L&T, nation building is at the core of our mission. For over eight decades, we have shaped India’s infrastructure, industries and technology capabilities. We believe this is India’s Decade, a time that requires collective dedication.” And the effort to drive progress and achieve our shared vision of becoming a developed nation. The President’s remarks reflect this greater ambition, as he emphasizes that extraordinary results require extraordinary effort. At L&T, we remain committed to fostering a culture where passion, purpose and performance drive us Forward.