90-Hour Work Week Debate Hits Personal Level: Radhika Gupta Opens Up About Exhaustion

In a recent episode of the "Work-life Balance" podcast, Radhika Gupta, a highly acclaimed entrepreneur and former CEO of Cipla, shared her personal struggle with the 90-hour work week debate. The industry expert reminisced about feeling "utterly miserable" after working for an unprecedented 100 hours straight.

Radhika recounted that moment when she realized she had crossed the threshold where productivity plummeted, and exhaustion took over. She shared that despite putting in countless hours, her output decreased significantly, affecting not only her personal life but also her professional performance.

"I understand the push-and-pull between meeting business goals and maintaining worker well-being," said Gupta. "However, I believe it's essential for companies to recognize the invisible barrier: prolonged burnout."

Reflecting on her own experience, Radhika emphasized the significance of setting boundaries and acknowledging physical and mental limits. She encouraged businesses to prioritize long-term success by investing in employee wellness programs, flexible work arrangements, and effective performance metrics that focus on results rather than mere hours worked.

"I'd rather prioritize quality over quantity," Gupta concluded. "A sustainable 30- or 40-hour schedule has become a new benchmark for me. That way, I can ensure my employees feel valued, respected, and reenergized – because work-life balance is not just about personal happiness but also key to the future of our industries."

Radhika's candid voice echoed throughout the discussion, serving as a call-to-action for leaders across various sectors to rethink their culture, embracing change that prioritizes people over hours. Her words resonate in this era of shifting priorities towards employee welfare and mental well-being.