Headaches, acidity, eyesight issues & more — working for over 52 hrs/wk is taking its toll on Indian techies

• More than 51% of techies said that they spend anywhere between 9-12 hours at work, as per a survey.
• Unrealistic timelines, excessive meetings, and company cultures that value and reward overwork — are the reasons for long hours.
• The resultant health effects include acidity, gut problems, back and neck pain, erratic sleep cycles, muscle stiffness and more.
  

It’s official. India’s tech professionals are among the most overworked, putting in way longer hours at work than the global average. As per a report by Onscurity & Knowledge Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) – more than half of the country’s techies work for an average of 52.5 hours a week.

This is considerably higher than the national average for India, which is 47.7 hours a week. As per the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, the average number of hours worked per week is around 36.4 in the informal sector!

Stats paint a grim picture

More than 51% of Indian techies surveyed said that they spend anywhere between 9-12 hours at work, as per a survey conducted for the report. While 2% said that they spend over 12 hours working, 47% adhere to the 5-8 hour schedule.

A staggering 55% of tech professionals reported that working late hours significantly impacts their health. This higher work burden is leaving them with a myriad of health problems — such as acidity, gut problems, back and neck pain, erratic sleep cycles, muscle stiffness, eyesight-related issues, weight gain, and intense headaches.

As per the KCCI report titled ‘Burying the Burnout: Decoding the Health Challenges of India’s Tech Geniuses’, 26% of techies are experiencing exacerbated sleep problems, with more than 51% of them getting only an average of 5.5 to 6 hours of sleep per day.

“Frankly, working in the IT/ITES sector is exceptionally demanding, akin to traversing a tightrope. With tight deadlines and inevitable setbacks, employees' health often bears the brunt. Therefore, focusing on preventive measures is paramount,” said Bharat Patel, secretary general of KCCI.

The survey respondents were software developers, web and app developers, data analysts, data scientists, UI/UX designers and more. It was conducted in pan-India in cities including Delhi, Bangalore, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata.

Excessive meetings vs Family events

What is making techies put in longer hours than their peers? As per the survey — unrealistic timelines, last-minute changes, dissatisfaction with initial iterations of work completed etc. The most notorious of the reasons as per the survey included excessive meetings.

Company cultures that value and reward overwork, pressure from management; and not least of all, perceived career advancement opportunities tied to working long hours, also push the workforce to adhere to excessive work hours.

“Many tech roles in India are inherently demanding, often necessitating a predominantly sedentary lifestyle. Collectively, these factors contribute to a detrimental impact on the well-being of these individuals,” the report says.

Nearly 45% of tech professionals disclosed that their mental health is suffering, with stress, anxiety, and depression taking a toll. Increased job hours also translate to less family time. As many as 74% of techies are sacrificing family events and celebrations due to work demands.

The report adds that as individuals consistently prioritise work over personal and family commitments, it can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and burnout.

“It's crucial that we don't overlook the daily struggles of tech professionals in our pursuit of success, as neglecting their well-being could not only render technology jobs unappealing but also hinder the true potential of these individuals,” said Yogesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO,

Onsurity added that the survey findings should serve as a wake-up call for tech companies. As more and more stakeholders push to prioritise health and personal time over never-ending work requirements, the time is perhaps ripe for companies to revisit their internal work culture to make employees more productive and not miserable over the long term.