Oh SNS, why on earth did you do it, man? Let's not talk about what you uttered for a moment, rather why you uttered it in the first place. Despite being aware of the nation's mood towards work-life balance and the misadventures of Infosys’ Narayana Murthy, Ola’s Bhavish Aggarwal, and ex-BharatPe’s & (formerly) Grofers’ Ashneer Grover on the subject, how could someone as intellectual and experienced as yourself dig your own grave on social media like this?
No matter how dearly the infrastructure behemoth tries to clear the air around its chairman's blunder by terming it as a casual comment, the social media apocalypse has already put a severe toll on the company’s hard-earned reputation (SNS' don't even ask). Maybe the equity shares of the company haven't tumbled as such, but L&T has certainly invited flak from various stakeholders (obviously except Mr. Murthy, Mr. Grover, and Mr. Aggarwal).
It has become quite evident that work-life balance has long taken a backseat in boardroom meetings and C-suites across the metropolises in India. With bosses considering their employees as rock-solid, two-legged mules capable of carrying loads far beyond their normal capacity, the menace of overwork and toxic work culture has forced even the most dedicated employees to alienate (leading to a spike in attrition rates across the industry), make merry with severe stress, and in the worst case, tragically end their lives.
The young 26-y-o, talented Chartered Accountant at E&Y, late Anna Sebastian, allegedly faced the same tyranny from her manager and considered permanent death a better option than dying at the workplace every single day.
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As Anand Mahindra, chairperson of the automobile major Mahindra & Mahindra Group, rightly reiterated the cliché: quality prevails over quantity—and how! These bosses and industry leaders need to understand that it’s never about 70 or 90 hours, rather the sincere and honest efforts of employees that bring the desired results for the team or the company. As long as they are being given sufficient time to cool off, they can very well finish the weekly assigned work in the standard 40 or 50 hours channel—depending on their individual skills and the organization’s working hours. In addition, in case of any emergency or really important an event, they might be 'gently' asked to further increase the number of hours as well. However, it must not cross a specific mark and become an everyday routine. Such scenarios disrupt employees' personal lives, and in the long term turn them into a silent rebel. Hence, these overwork advocates should understand that disgruntled employees ultimately bring more harm to the company over good, and act/comment/behave accordingly.
On a concluding note, contrary to what SNS said, there are many more things to have fun with your wife/girlfriend even on weekdays, beyond just staring at her on Sundays.
Shri Krishna, in the Bhagavad Gita narrates the balance and harmony in various facets of life to Arjun as:
ReplyDeleteयुक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु।
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो à¤à¤µà¤¤ि दुःखहा।।
Clearly, maintaining life’s equilibrium is a must. Pursuing unchecked ambition will lead us to stare directly into the eye of our own devastation. A balanced approach emphasizes thoughtfulness and adaptation, qualities that require a clear and rested mind—not one overburdened by a relentless schedule.
The most important pillar of a balanced life is our family. Families thrive on quality time spent together. Children flourish under the guidance of attentive parents, and relationships deepen when partners share moments of joy, support and mutual loving gaze at each other.
Nation’s economic growth and an organization’s success undeniably depend on the dedication of its workforce. However, sustainable growth cannot be achieved by overburdening employees. Productivity tends to plateau, or even decline, after 40-50 hours of work per week. Studies by the World Health Organization suggest that "working 55 hours or more per week is associated with a 35% higher risk of stroke." WHO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) found in the study that working 55 or more hours per week increases the risk of stroke by 35% and the risk of ischemic heart disease by 17%.
Passive aggression often emerges in overworked employees who feel their boundaries have been repeatedly violated. When an employee is stretched beyond their limits without adequate recognition or respect for their personal time, they may begin to express resentment in indirect ways. This could include procrastination, subtle resistance to tasks, or sarcastic remarks, all of which reflect suppressed resentment. Addressing this requires fostering a culture that values both productivity and personal well-being.
India, aspiring to become a USD 5 trillion economy, needs innovation, collaboration, and creativity, qualities nurtured by a well-rested and motivated workforce. Overworked employees, however, are more likely to burn out, leading to higher attrition rates and diminished organizational performance.
That's how deeply insightful! Makes all sense. Such a treat to read!
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