Is a 9-hour shift too long?

The news of the death of a Japanese woman journalist who logged in an overtime of 159 hours in a month has raised a whirlwind of questions about Japan's work policy. But, on a macro-level, it reflects on the need of some kind of reflection on our work-life ethics. In a mad rush of pursuing deadlines, where the speed of a click is the entire globe per second, where do we stop? Does the need of the hour require us to halt and reconsider our work-life management?

While most of the organizations in India follow a nine-hour a day policy, that is the maximum an organization can make its employees work. And not so when the number of working days in a week are six, as the total hours an employee can be made to work in a week should not exceed 48. The laws exist but they are only ink on a damp paper when people do not mind doing the extra hours; sometimes for money, sometimes for interest and most of the times, due to a nagging pressure of deadlines half-met. So, what exactly are we gaining through our jobs? The very thing we started doing to attain mental peace, but which by the nature of it, is taking away that thing only? Is it time we thought if the nine hours a day are too much?

Is a nine-hour shift too long?

Well, the question in its simplicity ignores the complexities of various natures of jobs that exist, of various kinds of hard work they require, a person's health and his drive. However, as stated above, an organization in India cannot make an employee work for more than 48 hours in a week. Also, if the shift gives you enough breaks which are sufficient to reenergize you, does the question become irrelevant? There are many things to be considered before we can attempt an answer to that question.

Are you stressed out?

The most basic requirement for your work is to keep you secure and healthy. If you think that your job is rather contributing towards stress, it is time you reconsider it. If you are able to successfully manage your work along with your hobbies and life, chances are that your work hours are not a problem for you.

What is the nature of your work?

The Indian law has different work-hour policies for different kinds of professions. For instance, as per the Working Journalist (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955, a working journalist's hours should not exceed six hours for a day shift and five and a half hours for a night shift. If they do, the employee must be compensated as per their usual pay. For construction workers, any overtime hours should be at twice the rate their normal wages. This is because the nature of their work is strenuous and should be compensated properly.

So, if you are in jobs that require any kind of extreme physical or mental exertion, you must know what your ideal work-hours are and should adhere to them.

Do you travel a lot?

Another very big problem is that of commutation. If, besides your job, you also have to travel long distances, you are not only investing your time but also your energy which would otherwise help you in your work. So, nine hours into the job + three hours (let's say) of commutation + eight hours of sleep will leave you with only four hours for all else. This includes breakfast and dinner, indulging in hobbies, socializing, performing everyday chores and family time. So, in that case, a nine-hour shift may actually take a toll on your mental peace.

A half an hour break for every four/five hours?

A rule that exists in many organizations is allowing a half an hour break for work of every four or five hours. As per this rule, a nine-hour shift should allow a break of an hour. If you are able to maintain a work-life balance by working nine hours with a break of one hour, managing your social life and family and an optimal health level, it should be okay.

8 hours work, 8 hours play, 8 hours sleep?

A thumb rule that's followed by many is "8 hours work, 8 hours play, 8 hours sleep". This is widely considered a better model for work-hours as a shift that lasts more than eight hours can take a toll on one's personal life. If you can work with an organization that does not require you to work more than eight hours a day, nothing like it. However, if your shift is longer, you can try to make the best of your break time by indulging in activities that destress you.

However, certain things to keep in mind are:

- Never carry your work home. If your shift is eight hours or nine hours long, but you continue thinking about work/taking calls/replying to emails regarding work even from home, it is bound to affect you negatively.

- If you have a nine-hour shift with an hour's break, make sure that you do something leisurely in that one hour besides having lunch. Your break time is called 'break' time so that you do not carry your work's stress in that time.

- A proper sleep routine is very important to stay healthy and stress-free. Make sure that you get at least six to eight hours of sleep every day.

World Mental Health Day is observed every year on 10 October. As per WHO, the objective of World Mental Health Day is raising awareness about mental health issues and mobilizing efforts in support of better mental health. The theme this year is "Mental health in the workplace".