One in Four IT Professionals in India Burnt Out by 70+ Hour Work Weeks
India’s IT sector is facing a growing crisis of burnout, with one in four professionals reportedly working 70 hours or more each week. This alarming trend highlights the increasingly demanding work culture that has taken root in the technology industry, raising serious concerns about employee well-being, mental health, and sustainability of such practices.
IT Sector Burnout
Long work weeks have become normalized across the sector, with some industry leaders even publicly endorsing them as a path to national productivity. This includes recent calls for younger professionals to commit to extended work hours in the name of economic contribution. However, health experts warn that such prolonged schedules pose significant risks—including heightened chances of stroke, cardiovascular issues, and psychological stress.
The pressures of excessive work are already proving fatal. In one tragic case, a 26-year-old employee of a top consulting firm died in July 2024, with her family attributing her sudden passing to overwhelming stress and unreasonable work demands. The incident sparked a national reckoning over toxic workplace environments and the physical toll of chronic overwork.
Overwork in India
Some companies have begun responding to public pressure by introducing flexible work options, providing mental health support, and encouraging better work-life balance. However, critics argue these changes are often superficial and fail to address the root issue: a deep-seated corporate culture that equates long hours with dedication and success.
Tech Industry Stress
The implications of overwork go far beyond individual exhaustion. High attrition rates, declining employee engagement, and a shrinking pool of incoming talent are among the long-term consequences companies now face. When burnout becomes the norm, innovation, productivity, and employee loyalty all suffer.
There is growing consensus that India’s tech industry must confront this issue head-on through meaningful reforms. That includes stricter regulation of labor practices, transparent reporting of working hours, and a cultural shift that prioritizes sustainable performance over punishing schedules. Without intervention, the cost of doing nothing may be paid not just in numbers—but in lives.
