The debate over working hours has been sparked in India after software billionaire NR Narayana Murthy suggested that young people should be prepared to work 70 hours a week to contribute to the country’s development. This statement received both support and criticism, with some pointing out the low starting salaries for engineers in Indian technology companies and others highlighting the potential negative impact on physical and mental health. It was also noted that many women already work more than 70 hours a week, both at the office and at home. The discussion comes at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has caused people worldwide to reassess their relationship with work, with some advocating for a healthy work-life balance.
Experts argue that there are benefits to implementing work-life balance policies, such as increased employee retention, improved recruitment, lower rates of absenteeism, and higher productivity. India already has a culture of long working hours, with Indians working an average of over 2,000 hours per year before the pandemic, much higher than countries like the US, Brazil, and Germany. Some argue that productivity is not solely determined by the number of hours worked, but also by factors such as upskilling, a positive work environment, and fair pay.
The topic of working hours is sensitive in India, as the country has strong labor laws, but activists argue that more needs to be done to enforce them. Earlier this year, protests led to the withdrawal of a bill in Tamil Nadu that would have increased working hours in factories. In 2020, Mr. Murthy faced criticism for suggesting that Indians should work a minimum of 64 hours a week to compensate for the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic. However, some business leaders in India agree with his advice, emphasizing the importance of investing time in oneself and the country.
While India debates longer working hours, some developed countries have been experimenting with shorter work weeks. Belgium, for example, changed its laws in 2022 to allow workers to work four days a week without a salary reduction. In the UK, several companies participated in a trial scheme for a four-day week, with the majority deciding to continue with this arrangement due to its positive impact on employee well-being. This shift in attitudes towards shorter work weeks may become more widespread in the future.
In conclusion, the debate over working hours in India has brought attention to the issue of work-life balance and productivity. While some argue for longer working hours to boost productivity, others emphasize the importance of factors such as upskilling, a positive work environment, and fair pay. The discussion comes at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has prompted people worldwide to reassess their relationship with work, with some advocating for shorter work weeks.
Original news source: NR Narayana Murthy: Why Indians are debating a 70-hour work week (BBC)
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Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask them to summarize the main points of the article in a paragraph or two. Afterward, have each group share their summaries with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the topic of working hours, such as “Working longer hours leads to higher productivity” or “Shorter work weeks improve employee well-being.” Have students individually rate their agreement with each statement on a scale of 1 to 5. Once they have completed the poll, facilitate a class discussion where students can explain their responses and debate their opinions.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Select 10-15 vocabulary words from the article related to the topic of working hours. Write each word on a separate slip of paper and place them in a bag or container. Divide the class into teams and have each team take turns sending one member to draw a slip of paper from the bag. The student must then draw a visual representation of the word on the board while their team tries to guess the word. The team that guesses the most words correctly wins.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups: one group will discuss the pros of longer working hours, and the other group will discuss the cons. Give each group a few minutes to brainstorm and write down their arguments. Then, have each group present their arguments to the class. Afterward, facilitate a class discussion where students can share their thoughts and opinions on the topic.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask students to imagine what the future of working hours will be like in India and other countries. In pairs or small groups, have them discuss and make predictions about potential changes in working hours, such as shorter work weeks, flexible schedules, or increased automation. Encourage them to support their predictions with reasons and evidence from the article or their own ideas. Then, have each group share their predictions with the class and engage in a discussion about the possibilities.
Comprehension Questions:
1. What was NR Narayana Murthy’s suggestion regarding working hours in India?
2. What are some potential negative impacts of working 70 hours a week?
3. Who already works more than 70 hours a week in India?
4. What are some benefits of implementing work-life balance policies?
5. How does India’s average annual working hours compare to countries like the US, Brazil, and Germany?
6. What is the current state of labor laws in India?
7. How have some developed countries experimented with shorter work weeks?
8. What are the different perspectives on the relationship between working hours and productivity?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The debate over working hours has been sparked in India after software (1)______ NR Narayana Murthy suggested that (2)______ people should be prepared to work 70 hours a week to contribute to the country’s development. This (3)______ received both support and criticism, with some pointing out the low starting salaries for engineers in Indian technology companies and others highlighting the potential negative impact on physical and mental health. It was also noted that many women already work more than 70 hours a week, both at the office and at home. The discussion (4)______ at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has caused people worldwide to reassess their relationship with work, with some advocating for a healthy work-life balance.
Experts argue that there are benefits to implementing work-life balance policies, such as increased employee (5)______, improved recruitment, lower rates of absenteeism, and higher productivity. India already has a culture of long working (6)______, with Indians working an average of over 2,000 hours per year before the pandemic, much higher than (7)______ like the US, Brazil, and Germany. Some argue that productivity is not solely determined by the number of hours worked, but also by factors such as upskilling, a (8)______ work environment, and fair pay.
The topic of working hours is sensitive in India, as the country has strong labor laws, but activists argue that more needs to be done to enforce them. Earlier this year, protests led to the withdrawal of a bill in (9)______ Nadu that would have increased (10)______ hours in factories. In 2020, Mr. Murthy faced criticism for suggesting that Indians should work a minimum of 64 hours a week to compensate for the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic. However, some business leaders in India agree with his advice, (11)______ the (12)______ of investing time in oneself and the country.
While India debates longer working hours, some developed countries have been experimenting with shorter work weeks. Belgium, for example, changed its laws in 2022 to allow workers to work four days a week without a salary reduction. In the UK, several companies participated in a trial scheme for a four-day week, with the majority deciding to continue with this arrangement due to its positive impact on employee well-being. This shift in attitudes towards shorter work weeks may become more widespread in the future.
In (13)______, the debate over working hours in India has brought attention to the issue of work-life balance and productivity. While some argue for longer working hours to boost productivity, others emphasize the importance of factors such as upskilling, a positive work environment, and fair pay. The (14)______ comes at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has (15)______ people worldwide to (16)______ their relationship with work, with some advocating for shorter work weeks.
Go to answers ⇩
Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is your opinion on NR Narayana Murthy’s suggestion that young people should work 70 hours a week? Why?
2. How would you feel if you were required to work 70 hours a week? Why?
3. Do you think working long hours is necessary for a country’s development? Why or why not?
4. What is your opinion on the low starting salaries for engineers in Indian technology companies? Do you think it is fair? Why or why not?
5. How do you think working long hours can impact a person’s physical and mental health? Have you experienced this yourself or seen it in others?
6. Do you think women in India already work more than 70 hours a week, both at the office and at home? Why or why not?
7. How has the Covid-19 pandemic caused you to reassess your relationship with work? Has it changed your perspective on work-life balance? Why or why not?
8. What benefits do you think implementing work-life balance policies can have for companies and employees? Can you think of any examples?
9. How do you think productivity is affected by factors such as upskilling, a positive work environment, and fair pay? Have you experienced this in your own work or observed it in others?
10. What are your thoughts on the labor laws in India? Do you think they are effective in protecting workers’ rights? Why or why not?
11. Have you ever participated in any protests or activism related to working hours or labor laws? If so, what was your experience like?
12. What do you think about the idea of shorter work weeks? Do you think it could be beneficial for employees? Why or why not?
13. Are there any initiatives or policies in your country that promote a healthy work-life balance? How effective do you think they are?
14. How do you think attitudes towards working hours and work-life balance have changed over time? Can you think of any examples from your own country?
15. Do you think the debate over working hours in India will have any impact on discussions and policies in other countries? Why or why not?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. hours
2. work-life balance
3. productivity
4. upskilling
5. positive work environment
6. fair pay
7. shorter work weeks
8. debate
Meanings:
(a) A discussion or argument about a particular topic
(b) The measure of output or efficiency
(c) A reduced number of working days in a week
(d) The amount of time spent on a task
(e) Just and equitable compensation for work
(f) The process of acquiring new skills or knowledge
(g) A supportive and favorable workplace atmosphere
(h) The equilibrium between work and personal life
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What sparked the debate over working hours in India?
(a) The Covid-19 pandemic
(b) Protests in Tamil Nadu
(c) NR Narayana Murthy’s suggestion
(d) The withdrawal of a bill
2. What are some potential negative impacts of working long hours?
(a) Physical and mental health issues
(b) Increased employee retention
(c) Improved recruitment
(d) Higher productivity
3. How does India’s average annual working hours compare to other countries?
(a) Higher than the US, Brazil, and Germany
(b) Lower than Belgium and the UK
(c) About the same as Spain and Mongolia
(d) Not mentioned in the article
4. What led to the withdrawal of a bill in Tamil Nadu regarding working hours?
(a) NR Narayana Murthy’s suggestion
(b) The Covid-19 pandemic
(c) Labor laws
(d) Protests
5. What factors contribute to productivity, according to the article?
(a) Long working hours and high starting salaries
(b) Upskilling, positive work environment, and fair pay
(c) Employee retention and recruitment
(d) Absenteeism and labor laws
6. Which country recently changed its laws to allow for a four-day work week?
(a) India
(b) The UK
(c) Brazil
(d) Belgium
7. What impact did a trial scheme for a four-day work week have in the UK?
(a) Increased productivity
(b) Positive impact on employee well-being
(c) Lower rates of absenteeism
(d) Decreased recruitment
8. What does the article suggest about the future of working hours?
(a) Longer working hours will be implemented globally
(b) The debate over working hours will continue indefinitely
(c) Shorter work weeks may become more widespread
(d) The Covid-19 pandemic will not impact people’s relationship with work
Go to answers ⇩
True or False Questions:
1. India has no culture of long working hours, with Indians working an average of less than 2,000 hours per year before the pandemic, lower than countries like the US, Brazil, and Germany.
2. Productivity is not solely determined by the number of hours worked, but also by factors such as upskilling, a positive work environment, and fair pay.
3. Some developed countries, like Belgium and the UK, have not been experimenting with shorter work weeks, with negative impacts on employee well-being.
4. NR Narayana Murthy suggested that young people in India should not be prepared to work 70 hours a week to contribute to the country’s development.
5. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused people worldwide to reassess their relationship with work, with some advocating for a healthy work-life balance.
6. Many women in India already work more than 70 hours a week, both at the office and at home.
7. Implementing work-life balance policies can lead to increased employee retention, improved recruitment, lower rates of absenteeism, and higher productivity.
8. The statement received only support, with praises raised about high starting salaries for engineers and potential positive impacts on physical and mental health.
Go to answers ⇩
Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. What was NR Narayana Murthy’s suggestion regarding working hours in India?
2. What are some potential negative impacts of working 70 hours a week?
3. How do work-life balance policies benefit companies?
4. How do working hours in India compare to other countries?
5. What are some arguments for and against longer working hours in India?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. NR Narayana Murthy suggested that young people should be prepared to work 70 hours a week to contribute to the country’s development.
2. Some potential negative impacts of working 70 hours a week include the potential negative impact on physical and mental health.
3. Many women already work more than 70 hours a week, both at the office and at home.
4. Some benefits of implementing work-life balance policies include increased employee retention, improved recruitment, lower rates of absenteeism, and higher productivity.
5. India’s average annual working hours are much higher than countries like the US, Brazil, and Germany.
6. The current state of labor laws in India is that they are strong, but activists argue that more needs to be done to enforce them.
7. Some developed countries have experimented with shorter work weeks. For example, Belgium changed its laws to allow workers to work four days a week without a salary reduction. In the UK, several companies participated in a trial scheme for a four-day week, with the majority deciding to continue with this arrangement.
8. There are different perspectives on the relationship between working hours and productivity. Some argue for longer working hours to boost productivity, while others emphasize the importance of factors such as upskilling, a positive work environment, and fair pay.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) billionaire
(2) young
(3) statement
(4) comes
(5) retention
(6) hours
(7) countries
(8) positive
(9) Tamil
(10) working
(11) emphasizing
(12) importance
(13) conclusion
(14) discussion
(15) prompted
(16) reassess
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. hours
Answer: (d) The amount of time spent on a task
2. work-life balance
Answer: (h) The equilibrium between work and personal life
3. productivity
Answer: (b) The measure of output or efficiency
4. upskilling
Answer: (f) The process of acquiring new skills or knowledge
5. positive work environment
Answer: (g) A supportive and favorable workplace atmosphere
6. fair pay
Answer: (e) Just and equitable compensation for work
7. shorter work weeks
Answer: (c) A reduced number of working days in a week
8. debate
Answer: (a) A discussion or argument about a particular topic
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What sparked the debate over working hours in India?
Answer: (c) NR Narayana Murthy’s suggestion
2. What are some potential negative impacts of working long hours?
Answer: (a) Physical and mental health issues
3. How does India’s average annual working hours compare to other countries?
Answer: (a) Higher than the US, Brazil, and Germany
4. What led to the withdrawal of a bill in Tamil Nadu regarding working hours?
Answer: (d) Protests
5. What factors contribute to productivity, according to the article?
Answer: (b) Upskilling, positive work environment, and fair pay
6. Which country recently changed its laws to allow for a four-day work week?
Answer: (d) Belgium
7. What impact did a trial scheme for a four-day work week have in the UK?
Answer: (b) Positive impact on employee well-being
8. What does the article suggest about the future of working hours?
Answer: (c) Shorter work weeks may become more widespread
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. India has no culture of long working hours, with Indians working an average of less than 2,000 hours per year before the pandemic, lower than countries like the US, Brazil, and Germany. (Answer: False)
2. Productivity is not solely determined by the number of hours worked, but also by factors such as upskilling, a positive work environment, and fair pay. (Answer: True)
3. Some developed countries, like Belgium and the UK, have not been experimenting with shorter work weeks, with negative impacts on employee well-being. (Answer: False)
4. NR Narayana Murthy suggested that young people in India should not be prepared to work 70 hours a week to contribute to the country’s development. (Answer: False)
5. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused people worldwide to reassess their relationship with work, with some advocating for a healthy work-life balance. (Answer: True)
6. Many women in India already work more than 70 hours a week, both at the office and at home. (Answer: True)
7. Implementing work-life balance policies can lead to increased employee retention, improved recruitment, lower rates of absenteeism, and higher productivity. (Answer: True)
8. The statement received only support, with praises raised about high starting salaries for engineers and potential positive impacts on physical and mental health. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧
