Debate Intensifies as Companies Rethink Working Hours Policy

A new wave of discussion has emerged across global HR forums as companies revisit their working hours policy amid rising burnout cases and declining workforce productivity. With hybrid conditions stabilizing post-pandemic, several organizations are evaluating whether traditional 9-to-6 structures still hold relevance. Recent HR analytics reports show employees working longer than mandated hours—especially in tech, BPO, and creative industries—leading to increased mental stress, disengagement, and attrition. In response, progressive companies in India and the UAE are experimenting with flexible 6-hour workdays, compressed work weeks, and AI-powered workload monitoring to protect employee well-being. Labor experts say that rigid time-based models are losing favor, especially among younger professionals who prioritize outcome-driven tasks over punch-in systems. Governments are also stepping in, reviewing regulations to ensure overtime compensation and protect employees from burnout. The debate underscores a major shift in the future of work—where performance, mental health, and freedom may soon outweigh traditional clock-based expectations.