Salaried employees work greater hours than casual workers, according to a poll

A recent government survey has brought to light a concerning trend regarding the work-life balance of salaried employees, especially those in corporate sectors. The **Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)** for July 2023 to June 2024 revealed that salaried employees are clocking significantly more hours per week compared to casual laborers and self-employed workers. On average, salaried employees are working around 48.2 hours per week, in stark contrast to the under 40 hours put in by casual laborers and those who are self-employed. This data paints a revealing picture of the demanding corporate work culture that is taking a toll on salaried employees, especially in high-pressure environments.

For many of these corporate workers, a 48-hour workweek translates to around 9 hours of work per day in a typical five-day workweek. In a six-day workweek scenario, employees might work roughly 8 hours per day. While some industry experts argue that these hours aren't necessarily overwhelming or unprecedented, the real concern is about the work environment and the pressures that come with these long hours. The corporate culture today is characterized by intense competition, tight deadlines, and high performance expectations, creating an atmosphere of relentless pressure. 

Employees are not just managing longer hours; they are constantly juggling the need to meet deadlines, exceed targets, and stay on top of ever-increasing responsibilities. This often leads to a situation where many workers are burning out, feeling physically and mentally exhausted. 

However, the issue is not confined to salaried workers alone. While casual laborers and self-employed individuals generally work fewer hours — averaging just under 40 per week — they face other challenges, such as income instability and erratic work schedules. Casual workers often have to deal with unpredictable work assignments and are more vulnerable to fluctuations in demand, meaning they cannot count on a steady paycheck or job security. Similarly, self-employed individuals may appreciate the flexibility that comes with being their own boss, but this flexibility comes with its own set of challenges. Many of them have to cope with the unpredictability of income based on market demand, and unlike salaried employees, they lack a consistent safety net.

The conversation around working hours, work-related stress, and employee well-being has gained renewed urgency, especially after the tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old Ernst & Young employee from Pune. Her sudden death has been linked to extreme work-related stress, leading to a nationwide outcry over the intense pressures faced by corporate employees. This incident has sparked a government investigation into workplace culture, particularly the impact that long hours and high-pressure environments have on employee health. 

This tragic event has opened the door to a broader discussion about the modern work environment, leading many to question how companies manage workloads and employee expectations. Industry experts and HR professionals are calling for businesses to reconsider their approach to employee well-being, especially as more employees face the physical and emotional consequences of long working hours. They argue that companies must adopt more balanced work cultures, where productivity is valued within reasonable limits. Long hours and constant pressure should no longer be viewed as badges of honor or commitment, but rather as signs of an unhealthy work environment.

Additionally, this debate is forcing companies to reflect on the broader cultural shifts needed in the workplace. While salaried employees deal with the pressures of longer workweeks, the stress faced by casual workers, who may work fewer hours but lack job stability, remains equally problematic. The challenge is to create a work environment that supports the well-being of all types of employees — whether salaried or casual.

In this evolving landscape, the way businesses manage employee workloads, well-being, and expectations will determine their ability to retain talent and sustain productivity. It’s clear that the old norms of valuing employees based on their ability to endure long working hours are becoming obsolete. 

As the investigation into work culture progresses, many are calling for a change in how companies approach employee well-being. Some suggest that fostering a more balanced and supportive workplace environment is key to both employee happiness and long-term business success. They argue that when employees are given reasonable workloads and feel supported, they are more productive, more engaged, and less likely to experience burnout. 

The message is clear: the current corporate work culture, which prioritizes long hours and constant performance pressure, is no longer sustainable. A healthier, more balanced approach to work is becoming a necessity rather than a luxury. Whether it’s managing the long hours of salaried employees or addressing the income instability faced by casual workers, the way we work needs to evolve. Companies must now prioritize employee health and well-being over outdated ideas of commitment and productivity, creating a more sustainable and humane work environment for the future.