Mukesh Bansal, CureFit and Myntra founder joined the debate and said on LinkedIn, “Working 40 or 70 hours a week is a ”personal choice” and people should first understand their priorities.”
”First of all, it is a personal choice; health is important, family is important, career is important, and peace of mind is important. People need to know what matters in what priority order and then choose accordingly.” he added
”Companies demanding 70 hours/week need to also create proportional upside. You can’t demand 70 hours of work at 40 hours salary. That’s just not fair.” he further added.
Editor’s View on Productivity Vs. Hours Worked
Productivity and hours worked are interconnected but not directly proportional. Productivity refers to the efficiency and output of work completed in a specific amount of time. The relationship between productivity and hours worked can vary for several reasons:
- Quality of Work: Productivity isn’t just about the quantity of hours put in but also the quality of work during those hours. An individual might accomplish more in a focused, productive 6-hour workday than in a 10-hour workday filled with distractions and inefficiencies.
- Efficiency: Working smarter often matters more than working longer. People who manage their time effectively, prioritize tasks, and use efficient work methods can achieve significant results in fewer hours.
- Diminishing Returns: There’s a point where additional hours worked result in diminishing returns. After a certain threshold, fatigue and decreased mental alertness can reduce the quality and quantity of work produced. This is known as the law of diminishing returns.
- Work Nature: The nature of the work itself matters. Some roles may demand long hours due to the nature of the tasks, while others might require shorter, intense bursts of work.
- Work-Life Balance: Longer working hours might lead to burnout and a lack of work-life balance, potentially reducing overall productivity. Taking breaks and having time for relaxation or personal activities can improve focus and efficiency during working hours.
The key is finding the optimal balance between working hours and productivity. It’s not about just reducing or increasing hours but rather about optimizing the work time to maximize output without sacrificing quality, while also considering individual well-being and efficiency.
Many companies are moving toward flexible working hours or remote work, focusing more on achieving results rather than just tracking the hours worked, as it can be a better indicator of actual productivity. Tools measuring output or results rather than time spent in the office are gaining more attention in such scenarios.
In summary, while there is a relationship between hours worked and productivity, it’s not a linear one. Productivity is more about how effectively and efficiently work is done within a given time frame, rather than simply how many hours are put in.
