90-hour work week: Amid the ongoing debates over India’s work culture, a chartered accountant has come forward to share her personal experience of the hustle culture. Nitu Mohanka, who went 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 discussions surrounding the 90 hour work week.
In her article, Mohanka highlighted how the lure of hustle culture often leads individuals to prioritize work over important milestones in their personal lives. She remembers a time when she herself fell into the trap of working long hours and sacrificing precious time with her family. It was only when her young daughter drew a family picture without her, citing her absence due to work commitments, that Mohanka realized the toll the hectic culture had on her life.
“The hustle culture is seductive. But the promise of ‘grind now, enjoy later’ is rarely kept,” Mohanka wrote on social media platform Instagram. “Ten years ago, I was that person. Wear a 14-hour workday like a badge of honor. Answer emails at 3 a.m. I missed my daughter’s first steps because “the client meeting couldn’t wait.” Do you know what finally stopped me? A drawing by my 5 year old son. A family photo where I wasn’t in it. When her teacher asked her why, she replied, “Mom is always in the office.”
These reflections 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 message comes against the backdrop of recent events following L&T chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s controversial comments who proposed a 90-hour work week. In a widely circulated video during an undisclosed internal meeting, Subrahmanyan expressed disappointment over the inability to have employees work on Sundays.
In her message, Mohanka pointed out that extended hours are not always beneficial. She pointed out that efficiency drops significantly after working more than 55 hours per week, as extended hours can lead to fatigue, reduced innovation and strained interpersonal relationships.
90 hours versus 70 hours
In a widely shared video, Larsen & Toubro Chairman SN Subrahmanyan was criticized for proposing that employees work 90 hours a week, which would include working on Sundays.
In response to a question regarding no Saturdays off, Subrahmanyan expressed his preference for employees to work 90 hours per week, a notable increase from the 70-hour work week suggested by the Infosys founder, NR Narayana Murthy. He also referenced a Chinese contact who claimed China could outperform the United States thanks to Americans only working 50 hours a week.
During the discussion, Subrahmanyan expressed frustration at not being able to have staff work seven days a week, suggesting they should come to work instead of staying at home.
He mentioned his own willingness to work on Sundays and expressed a wish that employees would do the same, saying it would make him happier.
Subrahmanyan’s remarks, reminiscent of Narayana Murthy’s previous controversial comments about a 70-hour work week, sparked online discussions about the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance in India’s private sector.
In a statement, a company spokesperson said: “At L&T, nation building is at the heart of our mandate. For over eight decades, we have been shaping India’s infrastructure, industries and technological capabilities. We believe this is India’s decade, a period that demands dedication and collective efforts to drive progress and realize our shared vision of becoming a developed nation. The President’s remarks reflect this broader ambition, emphasizing that extraordinary results require extraordinary efforts. At L&T, we remain committed to fostering a culture where passion, purpose and performance drive us forward.
