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The Economic Survey has highlighted the negative health impacts of working more than 60 hours per week, citing several studies. It notes that long work hours can be detrimental to mental well-being, with those working 12 or more hours daily experiencing higher levels of distress. The survey references research by the WHO and ILO, which links working over 55-60 hours per week to increased health risks. While long work hours are often seen as a measure of productivity, previous studies have shown adverse health effects when hours exceed 55-60 per week.

Working long hours at a desk can be just as harmful to mental health. The debate around work hours escalated after the Larsen & Toubro chairman suggested employees should work 90-hour weeks, including Sundays, instead of staying at home. The chairman had previously made a comment expressing his concern about how long employees can be at home with their spouses. The remarks by Subrahmanyan, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani about long work hours have faced criticism from the business community. RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka warned that longer work hours can lead to burnout, not success. Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra emphasized that the quality of work is more important than the number of hours. ITC Ltd Chairman Sanjiv Puri said empowering employees is more crucial than just increasing work hours. Globally, mental health issues like depression and anxiety result in significant loss of productivity and financial costs.

According to the report, the work culture in India that requires employees to work from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week, is similar to the controversial "996 culture" in China. The Economic Survey emphasizes that if India wants to achieve its economic goals, it must address the lifestyle choices made during childhood and youth. The Survey warns that hostile work environments and excessive work hours can negatively impact mental well-being and hinder economic growth. While promoting a better workplace culture can enhance mental well-being, individual lifestyle choices and family dynamics also play a crucial role. The survey findings indicate that people who consume less processed or junk food tend to have better mental well-being than those who consume it regularly. Similarly, those who exercise less, spend more time on social media, or have distant relationships with their families exhibit poorer mental well-being.