Waking up at six in the morning, taking a shower, getting the kids ready for school, and leaving for the office with or without breakfast is a daily symbol of Indian salarymen. An average Indian spends more than twelve hours a day on work, getting ready for work and commuting to the office. For many, work-related stress is a 24-hour threat.
When work takes up such a large part of the daily life, the time for personal pursuits and the opportunity for a happy life are greatly reduced. As a result, Indians have come to a point where there is nothing else in their lives except work. Travel, reading, spending time with family become insignificant and unfulfilling. Due to this, there is no awareness about the social problems that are happening around. This environment dulls thinking. Although this may seem like an individual issue, it is an issue that affects the depth of Indian society
Unhappy country:
A few weeks ago, the United Nations released a list of the happiest countries in the world. India is ranked 139th out of a total of 149 countries. Pakistan is ranked 105th and Bangladesh is ranked 101st. Afghanistan is last on the list of war-torn countries. The gap between Afghanistan and India in the list is not that big. Govt of India talk about development
However, it highlights how poor the living standards of its people are.
The importance of work-life balance is taken very seriously in European countries. Those countries observe that work is for living and there is no life for work. Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Germany are leading the list of the happiest countries to live in the world. Working hours in these countries are limited to 36 hours per week. But the average person in India works more than 60 hours a week.
Work is life:
India ranks fifth in the list of countries with longest working hours in the world. Statistics show that 67 percent of Indian employees think about work even when they are not at work. Due to the work environment, Indians face more mental effects like insomnia, stress, anxiety and physical effects like back pain, headaches, fatigue, and obesity. This pressure also results in the loss of life of workers.
In order to keep the situation like this, the central government has proposed a plan to work 12 hours a day for four days and take the remaining three days of the week as paid leave. It is also said that companies can implement this scheme if they want. Proponents of the scheme argue that it will increase productivity and reduce unnecessary costs.
But studies show that working long hours drains employees' energy and does not increase productivity. Already, Indian companies can absorb the workforce. In this case, if the official says that they can work for 12 hours a day, the situation of the employees will get worse.
Three days off might be tempting to ask. But in reality, two days off a week is a dream for many. Many are working 12 hours a day, 72 hours six days a week. What India needs to do now is not increase working hours and reduce working days. Reducing working hours to 40 hours and ensuring two days off per week.
Working from home:
In this Indian work environment, working from home concept has brought significant changes. The practice of working from home has saved employees travel time; It has made way for spending time with family; Relaxing office-related tension. While working from home is undeniably stressful for many people.
Time spent at home with family and work time are inextricably linked. Many feel less efficient. Above all, working from home puts additional stress on women. Taking care of household chores and office work is said to be stressful. Besides, 'migration' is a very important factor in the development of civilization of mankind. As such, working from home has the potential to stagnate individual experience, exploration, and creation. The experience and knowledge of a person who moves from a small town to big cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad for work is explored. Working from home also narrows the scope of the search when it is narrowed down to the home. Because working from home isn't just about employee comfort and convenience. It is also social and economic related.
Let us take Tamil Nadu. A person in the southern part of the state has to leave his family and land and come to Chennai for work, so that all the jobs are concentrated in Chennai. Most of the residents here have migrated to Chennai for work from other districts. Due to this, Chennai is facing a huge space crunch.
The city has turned into an unlivable city due to traffic congestion, cramped buildings, noise pollution and air pollution. After all this, why should a person leave his own land and come to another land as a refugee due to forced labor? Want to spend a large amount of salary on rent and live a restless life? Working from home has helped reduce this problem.
Freelance jobs and permanence:
India's work structure and work environment is undergoing a major change. Freelance job opportunities are emerging now. Statistics suggest that the number of freelancers will reach 9 crore in the next ten years. Although this trend has increased employment to some extent, it has resulted in job permanency. The minimum benefits available in organizational sectors like employee security and insurance are also not available. This somehow creates tension among employees and uncertainty about the future.
The ultimate dream of an average Indian is to get a good paying job. This is because what Indians are most concerned about is rising costs. Especially medical expenses. What is the fate of the family if someone suddenly has to undergo a treatment that can cost tens of lakhs? What is the future of elderly parents if the income earning son dies? In India, except those who are not in government service, others are forced to work all their lives. Government's contribution is also important in changing this situation. The government's economic development programs should not increase money, but should increase people's happiness and create a secure life.
Many factors like population, family structure, social structure make Indians wander for work, work. Our schools and families teach children that earning money is the goal of life. Unless the government changes its outlook on economic development and its approach to people's lives, we will not be free from this situation.