Recently, there was a lot of noise around the 90-hour work week—and I’ve had CEOs, employees, and even fresh graduates reaching out to me asking for my take on it. So, let’s get real about this.

Let me begin by saying this is not about taking sides—everyone has their own reasons, experiences, and perspectives. Unfortunately, the media often turns these discussions into drama, framing them as battles of “who’s right” and “who’s wrong” by provoking and inciting conflict. The real focus should be on solutions and uncovering what’s being hidden underneath all this.

When it comes to work, everyone has a choice. Some people want to work 90 hours; others don’t. You cannot make it a one-size-fits-all rule. Similarly, what is stopping employees from choosing where and with whom they want to work? Personal responsibility matters. Each of us needs to assess our own circumstances and make informed decisions about where we choose to work.

Work vs. Health: Are We Getting It All Wrong?

The media loves drama, but in my opinion, the real conversation should be: Are companies actually supporting employee well-being, or are we just glorifying burnout? More hours don’t necessarily mean more productivity. Science proves this.

A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that working 55+ hours per week increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. Long working hours spike cortisol levels, mess up blood pressure, cause brain fog, and weaken immunity.

My question to employers is: Is this what we want for our workforce?

More Hours ≠ More Productivity

Rather than focusing on more and more hours, why aren’t we talking about efficiency and effectiveness? Working smarter, not longer, is the key. Overworked employees don’t just burn out—they become less creative, are more prone to errors, and are disconnected not only from their work but also themselves.

If you look at the most successful global companies, you will realize that they focus on output, not just hours. For instance, Sweden experimented with 6-hour workdays and found that productivity of employees actually increased.

So my simple question is: Why are we trying to drag people back into outdated work models?

90-Hour Work Weeks? Move Over. Here’s A Bigger Issue That Needs Attention

Forget 90-hour workweeks for a second—let’s talk about something even more damaging: night shifts.

Have you noticed how our own country has fully embraced offshoring and night shifts. Yes, it creates employment, but at what cost?

Let’s look at some studies through the years, not just cherry picked data:

The health risks from night shifts are undeniable.
✅ Circadian rhythm disruption → Poor sleep, metabolic issues, and diabetes
✅ Higher risk of heart disease and cancer (Harvard Health)
✅ Increased mental health struggles (CDC reports higher rates of depression and anxiety in night-shift workers)
✅ Night shifts and Breast Cancer Risk in Women – There is growing evidence that long-term night shift work may increase the risk of breast cancer in women.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Report classified night shift work as a probable carcinogen (Group 2A) due to its potential role in disrupting circadian rhythms, which may influence cancer development. Nurses’ Health Study (Harvard, 2001 & 2013) found that women who worked rotating night shifts for over 20 years had a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.

This is not to scare you but to make you aware.

If companies expect people to work through the night, they must take responsibility.

What can you do?

✅ Pay them more (hazard pay should apply, just like in other high-risk jobs)
✅ Better lighting & workplace environments to reduce fatigue
✅ Healthier food options instead of vending machine junk
✅ Education on managing night shifts for better recovery and health

Over the years, my team and I have been speaking about the hazards of nightshifts and even sharing simple tips so night shifters, who have no other option, can make the best of their work situation.

Coming back to the point of 90-hour work week. Here’s my honest opinion.

I am not going to sugarcoat this. In my own experience of working in the field of integrative and lifestyle medicine and coaching so many patients day in and out, let me tell you long work hours are breaking families.

💔 Parents missing out on their children’s lives
💔 Marriages falling apart due to lack of quality time
💔 This will not only destroy people physically and emotionally but also socially. It will increase reliance on vices like alcohol, nicotine, and excessive caffeine just to cope.

Are we willing to sacrifice physical, mental health, and relationships, just to fuel businesses?

The biggest change will happen when CEOs, HR teams, and leaders start valuing employees as human beings, not just resources. What does this call for?

✅ Flexible work models that allow balance
✅ Mental health support & wellness programs
✅ A shift from hours worked to impact created

Bottom line? Should We Have 90-Hour Work Weeks?

A 90-hour work week is not the future—it’s a disaster waiting to happen. It isn’t just outdated—it’s dangerous. We need to stop glorifying overwork and start prioritizing success, but not at the cost of our health. It’s not about choosing between work and health. It’s about creating an environment where both can coexist.

Move beyond profit margins and business KPIs—your employees are more than that. Build workplaces where people can thrive. Because in the end, business is nothing without the people who run it.

---

Are you or your organization looking at putting the health of your employees first?

Know more about our Corporate Wellness Programs Here

You can also reach out to us by writing to [email protected] to know more.

---