Is 70-Hour Work Week Debate Still On? This Mattress Company Has A Unique Take

For months now people have been debating the merits and demerits of having a 70-hour work week. Now a mattress company has weighed in on the matter. In its recent ad, Indian company Wakefit argued that people need to put in at least 70 hours to maximize productivity, but instead of the workplace, these 70 hours should be put into getting good sleep. In the hilarious advertisement, a company boss gives a speech to his employees about how everyone in a corporate office is replaceable and should prioritise good sleep so that they can cope with the daily stresses of work. The “speech" takes stylistic inspiration from SRK’s iconic speech from Chak De India.

Chaitanya Ramalingegowda, the co-founder of Wakefit shared this ad on LinkedIn where it got over 1,000 reactions in less than a day. A LinkedIn user described the concept as “The greatest ad of all time." People lauded the company for encouraging rest. A LinkedIn user commented on the idea, “The last time I got my 70-ghante-ki-neend was when I was 70 months old. This reminder was much needed!"

Another person wrote, “Fantastic work, Chaitanya Ramalingegowda! It’s essential to emphasize the significance of sleep and its role in boosting performance. Thank you for addressing this vital topic in your ad. I loved how you infused humour into it!"

Someone else elaborated, “The idea of advocating for 70-hour workweeks as a standard for productivity is certainly a contentious one. While dedication and hard work are crucial for success, it’s equally important to prioritize work-life balance and employee well-being. Striking a balance between productivity and burnout is essential for sustained growth and innovation. It’s essential for organizations to consider the holistic needs of their team members to foster a healthy and sustainable work environment."

The “70 hour work week" debate started last year when Infosys co-founder and former CEO Narayana Murthy appeared on a podcast and argued that India needs a 70-hour work week in a bid to compete with countries like China and Japan. Murthy said, “If we want to compete with the fastest growing countries like China and Japan, we need to boost up our work productivity. At the moment, India’s work productivity is very low. The government also must reduce the time it takes for decision-making and curb corruption in the bureaucracy. Our youngsters need to work for at least 70 hours a week."

His comments prompted a debate on work-life balance. While many supported Murthy, others argued that his suggestions were unrealistic and unfair. A 70-hour work week means working over 11 hours for six days, barring Sunday.