SCIENCE: In a surprising development, an old video of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subramanian has gone viral on Reddit, drawing widespread criticism for his controversial comments on employees' working hours. In the undated clip circulating on social media, Subramanian says, “I am sorry that I am not able to make you work on Sunday. If I can make you work on Sunday, I will be more happy, because I work on Sunday. am.”

He further said, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can wives stare at their husbands? Come on, go to the office and start working.” The statement has sparked outrage online, with many users expressing concern over the health risks associated with extremely long working hours.

Health risks of working long hours

According to a 2021 report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), long working hours caused 745,000 deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease in 2016, a 29% increase from 2000.

Epidemiological studies cited by the National Library of Medicine have revealed several serious health risks associated with overwork, including:

heart and brain diseases

high blood pressure

diabetes

depression and anxiety

chronic work stress

unhealthy lifestyle behavior

lack of sleep and fatigue

WHO further underlines the risks, stating that working 12 or more hours per day or more than 60 hours per week significantly increases the likelihood of occupational injuries.

The long-running debate over work-life balance

The debate about the productivity and sustainability of working long hours is not new. While proponents argue for increased production, experts and studies consistently highlight the serious impact it can have on the physical and mental health of employees. Subramanian's comments have reignited the conversation about the importance of work-life balance, with critics calling for better workplace practices to prioritize employee health over unrealistic productivity expectations.