Long working hours recognised as risk factor for highest occupational disease burden: WHO

Srinagar, Sept 24: The death of a 26-year-old employee of EY Pune, Anna Sebastian Perayil after four months joining the firm allegedly due to long working hours has triggered debates about unhealthy work culture in the corporate sector.

As per the International Labour Organisation (ILO), every individual has the right to pursue their material weel-being and spiritual development in conditions of freedom, dignity, economic security, and equal opportunity. However, working hours across the globe differ.

Notwithstanding the international labour standards, working time from the onset of the industrial age persist today as well, Indian Express reported.

With alarming statistics highlighting its detrimental effects on both productivity and health, overworking has emerged as a significant public health concern.

Working long hours is now recognised as the risk factor with the highest occupational disease burden, according to research from the WHO and ILO.

The limiting of work hours to protect workers’ health has been a major issue for more than a century now. The idea of work-life balance came much later.

Randstad’s Workmonitor report highlights that 93.7% of employees believe that work-life balance is essential, with the majority stating they wouldn’t accept a role if it negatively affected their work-life balance.

This clearly emphasises that work today is more than merely fulfilling workers’ material needs; it also involves offering opportunities for individuals to lead fulfilling personal lives and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

The International Labour Organisation has released data on average working hours and the prevalence of excessive working time—based on hours of work and working time arrangements (work schedules).