India’s corporate culture is known to mistake excessive hours for a marker of dedication and productivity. But prioritizing balance isn’t just kinder, it’s smarter for the economy too.

“I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife?” These appalling words from L&T chairman SN Subrahmanyan sparked outrage across the country after he called for the enforcement of a 90-hour workweek.

Social media erupted in fury, intensifying the ongoing discussion about the glorification of exploitative work hours in the country. Subrahmanyan’s comments came shortly after Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy publicly endorsed a 70-hour workweek, and shunned the entire concept of work-life balance.

These remarks reveal a deep-seated cultural acceptance of overwork and a complete disregard for employee well-being, an ongoing issue in India that progressively seems to be getting worse, one comment at a time.

The tragic consequences of India’s toxic work culture became evident through the heartbreaking story of 26-year-old Anna Perayil, a chartered accountant who died just four months into her job. In a now-viral letter, her mother blamed the high-pressure work environment for Anna’s death, exposing the devastating consequences of toxic workplace cultures. (Ellis-Petersen, 2024). Anna’s story resonated deeply with many, symbolising the emotional and physical toll of India’s brutal hustle culture.

Together, these incidents have reignited a crucial conversation: is work-life balance in India achievable, or is it destined to remain an unattainable ideal?

Workplace Culture

The corporate environment in India is defined by its long working hours, rigid hierarchies and hazy boundaries between work and personal life. According to recent labour data, India has one of the world’s most overworked labour groups, with employees putting in far more hours than those in China, Singapore, and even Japan — a country known for its gruesome work culture (Ellis-Petersen, 2024).

On average, Indian workers put in 13 extra hours a week than German workers. A McKinsey Health Institute survey also found India to be the global leader in workplace burnout, with 59% of respondents reporting burnout symptoms (Tewari, 2024). These numbers don’t just point to superficial issues but indicate a larger problem: India’s relentless pursuit of economic growth comes at the expense of individual well-being.

This toxic work culture does not just affect employees, it also takes a toll on organisations. According to BRSR (Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report) data, the average employee turnover rate (the number of employees leaving an organisation during a specified period, typically in one year) increased from 24% to 31% in the fiscal year 2024, signaling a growing dissatisfaction with toxic work conditions. Yet, the fact remains that despite the painfully evident drawbacks of overwork, change feels so elusive.

A Myth

“This Saturday-Sunday off is not an Indian thing. This is a Western thing,” declared Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, backing the viewpoints of the other aforementioned influential figures. When leaders openly support extreme workweeks, it sends an alarming message to both employees and organisations. This creates an environment where excess hours are glorified as a symbol of commitment and productivity. As a result, employees often feel pressured to keep up with these unrealistic expectations, worried that they’ll be seen as uncommitted or lacking ambition if they don’t. If we choose to accept this reality and simply conform to it, the very idea of a ‘day off’ is sure to appear mythical in the future, a tale of what once was.

In India, the push for rapid economic growth has created a culture that values productivity and competition above all else. Organisations, eager to maximise profits and achieve targets, often exploit the labour force. Employees, trapped in this cycle of proving themselves by working extra hours, often feel threatened with the prospect of losing something crucial in case they leave: promotion, job security or financial stability.

Moreover, large corporations have no real incentive to change their practices because executives are aware that if one person quits or fails to do the job according to their standards, thousands of others will step in to take their place (Ellis-Petersen, 2024). This relentless focus on efficiency may drive results, but is it worth the price we pay for it?

Cost of Overwork

The toll that toxic work environments can take on health is undeniable. It is well-known that prolonged stress can lead to serious issues like heart disease, depression and anxiety. A 2022 Deloitte survey revealed that a shocking 80% of the Indian workforce experience mental health issues. In a country where conversations around mental health still face a lot of backlash, the constant pressure to perform often pushes people to the point of burnout, taking a toll not just on individuals but on their families as well.

Ironically, the obsession with working long hours may even be counterproductive. Research shows that overworked employees are less efficient, more prone to mistakes, and ultimately less productive. Countries like Germany and Sweden, which value work-life balance, consistently outperform nations that demand longer workweeks, proving that prioritising balance isn’t just kinder, it’s smarter for the economy too (Rituparna, 2024).

Gen Z: Self-Awareness or Self-Sabotage?

The entry of Gen Z into the workforce has brought a drastic shift in workplace dynamics, with an increase in conversations about work culture and challenging traditional norms. This younger generation, which has grown up in the age of rapid technological advancements and a growing awareness of mental health, is unafraid to call out toxic workplace practices. In the aftermath of Anna Perayil’s tragic story, a wave of younger employees took to social media to air their grievances through reels, tweets and viral posts that shed light on their struggles. Their openness about challenges has forced employers to focus on issues previously brushed under the carpet.

Gen Z’s rejection of rigid work structures has given rise to phenomena like “quiet quitting,” where employees disengage and do only the bare minimum required due to dissatisfaction with workplace conditions. According to a Genius Consultants report, over 48% of Gen Z workers cited toxic work culture as the primary reason for quiet quitting (Kartik, 2024).

However, this shift in mindset has also garnered some criticism. Industry leaders, like Neeti Sharma of TeamLease Digital, argue that many Gen Z workers fail to understand the professional standards required in the workplace. “A job is not an extension of college,” she explains, noting that younger employees often lack an understanding of the varying demands across sectors. This generational clash poses a significant challenge for the future of India’s work culture.

Striking A Balance

The need for work-life balance in India is dire, now more than ever, but its implementation faces several significant hurdles. For balance to become a reality, systemic changes are necessary, starting with leadership. Leaders must model healthy behaviours, emphasising productivity and well-being over hours logged and should be held accountable when failing to do so. Organisations must invest in employee well-being, offering genuine flexibility, mental health support and fair performance metrics. Companies must move beyond token initiatives, instilling work-life balance into their core values.

It is easy to point fingers at leaders and big corporations, but it is important to understand the complex reality of the situation and realise that change starts at an individual level. In the rat race of life, many employees voluntarily push themselves to unhealthy limits to attain more promotions and achievements than their peers (Rituparna, 2024).

Instead, employees need to take a step towards challenging toxic norms and advocate for their boundaries. While this is easier said than done, collective action from companies and policymakers can help break barriers and lead the way to a happier, thriving workforce — one where human well-being is prioritised the same amount as economic objectives.

Psychological Perspective

In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, it is an undeniable fact that mental health stands at the crux of workplace well-being. A healthy workforce is not just a moral necessity but is also advantageous for employee well-being, directly impacting productivity, creativity and retention. The discourse around overwork and burnout in India often focuses on individual experiences or corporate policies, but an overlooked solution lies in Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology. As a field dedicated to studying and optimising workplace behaviour, I-O psychology provides evidence-based tools to tackle toxic work cultures at their root.

Toxic cultures in India often persist because organisations lack insight into how their structures and policies harm employees. I-O psychologists can conduct detailed workplace assessments, identifying inefficiencies like poor task delegation, inequitable workloads or ineffective time management. India’s corporate culture is known to mistake excessive hours for a marker of dedication. I-O psychologists can also challenge this mindset by advocating for policies that prioritise outcomes over hours worked (Freedman, 2018). These interventions, grounded in psychological research, can create environments where employees feel valued and supported.

Redefining Success

Our people are the heart of our nation, and using them solely for generating profits leads to a burnt-out and exhausted population, unlikely to drive innovation or long-term prosperity. We need to redefine what success means, shifting the focus from just professional achievements to also valuing quality of life. When we celebrate balanced, holistic success, we can change the way society views work, encouraging people to prioritise their well-being without feeling judged. This also means letting go of the misguided idea that overwork is a sign of dedication.

Beyond changing mindsets, legislative policies that ensure fair work practices are imperative. Take France’s “right to disconnect” law, which gives employees the freedom to step away from work and reclaim their time (Lerouge & Pons, 2022). Adopting similar policies in India could help create a healthier, more balanced way of working and living.

“Make your work and life meaningful and fulfilling and they will complement each other.” These words from the celebrated business icon Ratan Tata serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of balance. By rethinking priorities and embracing change, India can take a step towards creating a culture where work and life are in alignment. All we have to do, you and I, is care. Care enough for our people’s well-being to push for change and fight against the system that is adamant about working against us. The question is no longer whether work-life balance is achievable but whether we, as a society, are willing to demand it.

Authors: Prof. Moitrayee Das, Faculty of Psychology, FLAME University, & Sansita Nambiar, Undergraduate Student, FLAME University.