A recent Data Point study revealed that young professional Indian women are working the most hours globally, averaging more than 55 hours a week. This translates to working 9-11 hours daily, depending on whether they follow a five- or six-day work week. Women in high-pressure fields such as Information Technology, auditing, and media face particularly demanding schedules, balancing rigorous work commitments with personal responsibilities.
This data comes in the wake of the tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old Chartered Accountant working at Ernst & Young (EY), whose mother cited “work stress” as a significant factor in her untimely passing. Her death has sparked important conversations around work-related stress and excessive workloads in India.
Unpaid Household Work Burdens Professional Women
Despite their long hours in professional settings, Indian women are also responsible for a disproportionate amount of unpaid household work. The Data Point study revealed that employed women spend an average of 5.8 hours per day on household chores, leaving them with only 7-10 hours to rest and unwind. This significant burden adds to their stress levels, exacerbating work-life imbalance issues.
Marriage Doubles Household Work for Women
The situation becomes more pronounced for married women. Data shows that married women, whether employed or not, spend an average of 8 hours a day on unpaid domestic chores, double the time spent by women who never married. In contrast, married men spend only 2.8 hours on household work, further highlighting the disparity.
The imbalance in domestic labor is deeply ingrained in Indian society, with women, especially after marriage, facing increased demands at home while continuing to meet the challenges of their professional careers.
Calls for Reform in Work-Life Balance
This growing pressure on Indian women calls for urgent reforms in both workplace policies and domestic expectations. The data underscores the need for organizations to support work-life balance initiatives and for families to recognize and share household responsibilities more equitably. Addressing these issues is essential for the well-being of Indian women, both professionally and personally.
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