In today’s fast-paced world, business leaders like Jack Ma, Elon Musk, Narayana Murthy, and S.N. Subrahmanyan believe that long hours are key to success. Jack Ma supports the “996” work culture which is from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week. Elon Musk pushes for over 80-hour work weeks. But does working long hours truly lead to success, or does it harm employees?
But is this indeed the most appropriate approach? Or people should have more leisure and rest? This argument is crucial since it has an impact on everyone from office workers to factory employees.
Let’s explore both sides of the debate.
Why Some Leaders Support Working Long Hours
One of the co-founders of Alibaba is Jack Ma. He thinks that hard work is quite critical. People, he says, should labour six days a week from 9 AM to 9 PM. Young individuals, he believes, will enjoy a better future if they work hard. In 2018, he stated, “The ‘996’ system is good for young people, but it’s not for everyone.”
Elon Musk, the chairman of SpaceX and Tesla. In several instances, such as his 2018 Joe Rogan Experience podcast interview, Musk discussed working upwards of 80-100 hours per week, stating that working long hours is crucial to achieving ambitious goals. He has said that nobody changed the world by working only 40 hours a week. He sometimes works over 100 hours a week and even sleeps in his office.
Infosys founder Narayana Murthy said that young Indians should work 70 hours a week to help the nation. He believes that hard work can build businesses and fortify India. In a 2017 interview, he emphasized, “Work hard to build businesses, to build India.”
On 14th January 2025, L&T’s CEO, S.N. Subrahmanyan said that young Indians should work for more than 90 hours a week. Moreover, he thinks that success comes to those who work long. He mentions that success arises from hard work, discipline, and perseverance. Still, not all people concur with him. Many employees are already worn with their present work hours. More work could lead to a loss of inspiration.
Country Development
Many company leaders believe longer hours will help the nation develop more rapidly. They argue that working extra enables businesses to expand fast and strengthens the economy. Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea grew fast because their people worked hard. When people work harder companies make more revenue and the country grows more.
Personal Growth
Some leaders including Elon Musk think that working long hours helps people become better at their jobs. Working more means faster learning, better abilities, and career development. Jack Ma once said that working hard enables one to become strong and successful later on. Young people who work hard develop more quickly and gain more experience.
Stronger Work Ethic
Working long hours creates a powerful work ethic. It instils dedication, discipline, resilience, problem-solving, and patience. Working overtime helps people become more responsible and devoted to their work.
Business Growth and Innovation
Companies want hard-working employees for growth and innovation. Leaders like Elon Musk believe that innovation comes when people work more on solutions. The dedicated employees come up with better ideas which helps the company to succeed. Many top companies grew because their employees worked extra hours to create new ideas.
Cons of Long Working Hours
It is understandable that if the people of the nation work hard then ultimately it helps that nation to grow faster but we should consider thinking about the practical consequences of working long hours.
For instance, if people who already work hard start working even harder and for long hours then it will exhaust them which can lead to the loss of motivation to work hard as well.
Stress and Mental Health Issues
Long hours of work can increase mental stress. People who work too hard have no time for relaxation. This could result in depression and stress issues. They lose energy and become exhausted. Research indicates that excessive work impairs clear thinking and focus.
Poor Physical Health
Working for long hours can harm our bodies as well. Long periods of physical inactivity, insufficient sleep, and lack of exercise all can lead to severe medical issues. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), working 55 hours or more per week increases the risk of stroke by 35% and heart disease by 17%, highlighting the serious health concerns linked to overwork.
Less Family Time
The people who work for long hours do not get enough time to spend with their families. This creates problems in personal relationships as well. The kids also miss spending time with their parents. The families feel disconnected. When employees do not get time for their loved ones, it affects their happiness and emotional well-being.
Decreased Productivity
A study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that productivity drops significantly after 40 hours of work per week. After 50 hours, productivity can decline by 25%. After a certain point, employees become tired and less productive. When people are overburdened, they make more mistakes and their performance goes down. A fresh and well-rested mind works faster and better than a tired one.
What’s the Solution?
Here, we will discuss solutions such as flexible work policies, quality over quantity, and the importance of mental health support.
Work-Life Balance
The best way to fix this is by balancing work and life. People should rest, have hobbies, and be with family as well as work. Many companies are providing flexible working hours to help employees not feel overburdened. According to a Gallup study, employees who have a good work-life balance are 21% more productive than those who don’t People are more efficient and happier when they have a good work-life balance.
Quality Over Quantity
People should work smartly rather than long hours. It’s not about how many hours you work, but how much you get done. Employees should focus on completing the assignments well rather than just staying longer at work.
Flexible Work Policies
Companies can set guidelines to help employees find a balance between life and employment. Remote working, shorter workdays, and four-day workweeks can keep workers productive without tiring them out. Countries like Sweden and Finland, where the average workweek is only 30-35 hours, consistently show high productivity levels, as reported by the OECD, proving that less can indeed be more when it comes to work hours.
Encouraging Employee Well-Being
Furthermore, companies should look after their staff. Giving mental health assistance, regular breaks, and health advantages makes employees feel appreciated and valued as happy employees perform better and remain more faithful. According to the Corporate Leadership Council, companies that invest in employee well-being experience a 14% increase in productivity
Conclusion
The debate on long working hours against work-life balance is difficult to settle. The entrepreneurs like Jack Ma, Elon Musk, Narayana Murthy, and S.N. Subrahmanyan think that success comes after long hours of work. It is also important to note the negative effects of working long hours on employees’ health and well-being. A good answer is to find a middle path in which the employees can work effectively, rest and live life as well.
Ultimately, we all are working to live not living to work. The success should not come at the cost of wellbeing and happiness.
Ramanjeet Kaur is a Life Skills and Behavioural Trainer. Her journey to becoming an entrepreneur and starting her career as a trainer in the education industry is an inspiring revelation. She was always passionate about teaching profession from her childhood and started mentoring young kids to develop their personalities.