4-Day Work Week? India Says: Sapna Dekhte Raho!

While Tokyo is leading the way with a 4-day work week, India struggles with the concept of even a 5-day work week. Working on weekends here is not just common; it's an unwritten rule. Employees don’t even ask anymore; they simply assume it. The question is no longer “What are your plans for the weekend?” but rather “What time are you coming to the office?”

In India, weekends are treated as an extension of the workweek. Saturdays are rebranded as “half-day full work,” while Sundays have become synonymous with “urgent client calls” or clearing up backlogs. The irony is glaring: companies constantly talk about innovation and progressive policies, but when it comes to respecting personal time, most are stuck in a feudal mindset.

Startups: Hypocrisy at Its Peak

Startups, which are often touted as drivers of change, are the biggest perpetrators of this exploitative culture. Founders who previously enjoyed cushy 5-day work weeks at multinational corporations now expect their employees to slog through 6-day work weeks with rotational offs.

They preach “work-life balance” on LinkedIn but demand “no life, all work” from their teams. Employees are labeled as “passionate hustlers” if they willingly sacrifice their personal lives. And those who dare to ask for a break? They’re sidelined with comments like “You’re not dedicated enough” or “How will you grow if you don’t put in the hours?”

Workload Management? Nonexistent

The core of the issue lies in poor workload management. Indian companies glorify overwork as a virtue, masking managerial inefficiency. Deadlines are often arbitrary and dictated by clients who seem to think employees have no lives beyond their laptops. Managers, rather than addressing resource shortages, resort to phrases like “Team chhoti hai, sab adjust kar lo.”

Overburdened employees are then rewarded with long, meaningless pep talks on how “great work requires sacrifice.” But no one talks about how poor planning creates chaos. Instead of valuing productivity, companies glorify late hours and weekend work as dedication.

1980s Salaries for 2024 Workloads

If the workload wasn’t bad enough, let’s talk about salaries. Employees are expected to deliver 2024-level performance while being paid wages stuck in the 1980s. Many firms still proudly offer starting salaries of ?3 LPA (Cost-to-Company, not in-hand), which barely covers rent, groceries, and a monthly broadband plan.

Managers often justify this disparity by claiming “experience matters more than money.” But in reality, inflation has skyrocketed, and salaries haven’t kept pace. Employees are left wondering why they’re being paid peanuts for workloads that demand blood, sweat, and tears.

Weekend Work: A Cultural Epidemic

India has normalized overwork to such an extent that employees who leave the office on time or protect their weekends are seen as unambitious. Bosses and colleagues alike often quip:

• “Tu toh 5 baje ghar bhaag jaata hai.”
• “Weekend ka plan bana raha hai? Deadline ka kya hoga?”
• “Busy employee = productive employee.”

This toxic culture not only affects mental health but also lowers overall productivity. Employees who work beyond their limits burn out quickly, leading to inefficiencies and high attrition rates.

Tokyo’s Progress, India’s Stagnation

Tokyo’s adoption of a 4-day work week isn’t just a step toward better work-life balance; it’s an acknowledgment of how employee well-being directly impacts productivity. In contrast, India’s work culture prioritizes exploitation over efficiency.

• Tokyo: Employees work four days and are still paid well.
• India: Employees work six days, often unpaid for overtime, and are still expected to perform miracles.
• Bosses in India: “Kaam karo, salary ki chinta mat karo. Passion ke liye kaam karo!”

The contrast couldn’t be starker. Tokyo is building a future-oriented workforce, while India continues to drain its human capital.

Why This Needs to Change

If Indian companies truly want to compete on a global scale, they need to prioritize the following:

1. Fair Compensation: Adjust salaries to match inflation and the cost of living. Stop treating ?3 LPA as a gold standard.
2. Effective Workload Planning: Proper resource allocation and realistic deadlines can reduce employee burnout.
3. Focus on Productivity, Not Hours: Efficiency should be the goal, not the number of hours spent in the office.

4-Day Work Week: Far from Reality

Let’s face it—India isn’t ready for a 4-day work week. Many companies still struggle to implement 5-day work weeks without expecting employees to work weekends unofficially. Until we address the deep-rooted issues of poor workload management, underpayment, and a toxic overwork culture, the dream of a 4-day work week will remain just that—a dream.

So while Tokyo takes progressive strides, we’ll continue to sing the unofficial anthem of Indian workplaces: “Saturday bhi kaam karenge, Sunday bhi kaam karenge, kabhi weekend aayega hi nahi.”