A survey conducted among 12,000 employees in 85 countries. The findings revealed that India was among the leading countries where employees worked beyond their stipulated office timings.
Samir Fadnis, 42, heads a media agency. He is in an enviable position compared to his peers, but there is something amiss in his life. His life revolves around work - Fadnis spends 9-12 hours in office every day, including weekends, and has little time for his family. “Horribly overworked,” shoots back Fadnis when asked to describe his daily state.
Fadnis is not alone. Over 50% of employees in India work way more than eight hours a day while over 40% regularly take their work home, according to a latest global survey by Regus, a workplace solutions provider.
The survey was conducted among 12,000 employees in 85 countries. The findings (see box) revealed that India was among the leading countries where employees worked beyond their stipulated office timings.
As many as 45% workers in India work for 9-11 hours every day. The figure is 38% worldwide.
Over 10% of Indian workers spend over 11 hours in office daily while 44% take their work home more than three times a week compared to 43% globally.
Ketan Ved, 39, who works as a chartered accountant in a foreign bank in Mumbai, regrets not being able to spend enough time with his children during the week. Even when he returns home, says Ketan, he is glued to his laptop to complete the pending work.
“I often feel for my kids. Giving time to my family is my priority and I plan accordingly. However, it is not possible do that always,” said Ved. Fadnis agrees. “Even though I know that work and its pressure is taking a toll on my body, I cannot do anything. I have to work long hours as there is no other way out,” he said.
Senior psychiatrist Dr Rajendra Barve believes many people put in additional hours at work because a lot of them are genuinely busy. He, however, said that there are also some who just pretend to be busy. “There is a statement - I am busy - and it means I am important. This state of being busy or overworked stems from insecurity,” said Dr Barve. “Earlier, people were secured in their jobs. Now, they need to grow and are more insecure. Spending time in office beyond the stipulated working hours is born out of this insecurity.”
Madhusudan Thakur, regional vice-president, South Asia, Regus, says the study has found a clear blurring of line between work and home.
“Sustained economic growth in the last past 3-4 years and substantial outsourcing work done by Indians have contributed to longer working hours. The long-term effects of this could be damaging to the workers’ health as well as to the overall productivity,” he said. “Workers push themselves too much and become depressed and physically ill.”
Thakur also said that though the survey found that people who work on the field put in longer hours, there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that they are also more productive, have a greater job satisfaction and lower stress levels.
“These workers typically spend less time commuting. As a result, they are able to spare more time for their work. Businesses that enable their employees to work from locations closer to their homes and manage their time more independently will offset the stress caused by a poor work-life. This will enable employers to deal with a more productive, committed and healthy staff,” he said.
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