Much to the relief of humankind, the dreaded global pandemic, caused by the novel corona virus, that killed at least seven million people worldwide and upended economies is no longer a threat. No sooner the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared this May 5 that COVID-19 does not qualify as a global emergency anymore, ostensibly in line with this changing scenario, major Indian IT services companies, which had introduced “work from home” in 2020, seem to be now urging their employees to return to office and work from there for more than three days in a week.

Well, work from home, among others, does not suit several jobs and has its own pluses/minuses. Although it cuts down travel time to the workplace and back, many employers expect their employees to be available 24X7 to answer emails, join virtual meetings even on weekends/evenings, etc. One of my nephews, who has been working from home for the last three years, laments that he hardly finds time to even have breakfast or lunch with his parents. He is overwhelmed to return to office, despite commuting challenges. 

Well, whether one works from home or from office what is important is work-life-balance. How far this is achieved depends on a plethora of factors. Recently my friend along with 600-odd families residing in a high-rise housing society contributed to support the family of their security guard who had collapsed while on duty. It is said that the 27-year-old screened visitors at the main gate for at least 10 hours, then completed night shift at a warehouse, literally without a break in order to support his aged parents, wife and three young daughters.

The guard in not alone. Last month, Gujarat’s renowned cardiologist Dr Gaurav Gandhi, who performed over 16,000 surgeries, suddenly passed away due to what is being suspected as a cardiac arrest. The 41-year-old non-smoker-cum-teetotaller reportedly did not have any medical history to indicate that he might be vulnerable to a cardiac event except that he was working nearly 14 hours a day. On that fatal day he was on night duty. He felt chest discomfort at around 2 am. As the cardiogram was normal, he thought it was acidity, took medication, rested for half-an-hour and went home.

At around 6 am, his wife found that he had collapsed in the bathroom. He was rushed to the hospital, put on the ventilator and a cardiogram showed his heart was very faintly active. Despite cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for around 45 minutes, sadly enough, he could not be revived.

This January 20, “American Idol” C J Harris (31) who finished sixth on the show’s Season 13 died of heart attack at his home. He was rushed to the hospital, where CPR efforts were unsuccessful.

Similarly, Delhi-based Dr Sahil Mashal, in his early 30s, a final year resident doctor at the paediatric department of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital died of cardiac arrest while on duty this January 6. The deceased doctor while on his rounds visited a child who was scheduled for an operation when he complained of chest pain. He was given CPR and emergency drugs but he collapsed. Dr Mashal had no history of heart conditions.     

In November 2021, a 28-year-old general surgeon, who worked at Gandhi Hospital, Hyderabad died of heart attack after collapsing on the staircase. Found unconscious near the hostel at around 5 am, he was rushed to the emergency ward but declared brought dead. He reportedly died of myocardial infarction. About six months back he had complained of chest pain, but when tests were done, the reports were normal. Although the deceased doctor did not have any bad habits, his family is said to have a history of heart attacks.

This May 16, according to news reports, 15-year-old Rohit Singh died due to sudden cardiac arrest. While playing with his friends at school in Greater Noida, he lost consciousness. Thinking he might have got dehydrated, teachers gave him ORS solution but to no avail. He was declared brought dead after he was rushed to the hospital by teachers.

Why more and more young people are dying due to heart attacks? Health experts warn that incidents of heart attacks among younger people are increasing in India and this can be attributed to sedentary lifestyles/genetic causes. Renowned organisational psychologist Jeffry Pfeffer of Stanford University (who has published several books extensively in the fields of organization theory and human resource management) maintains that many organisations and corporations are so focused on profits and other efficiency indicators that they ignore workplace stress and provide insufficient vacation and sick days. In some instances, he laments that organisations and their cultures are literally killing people and also contributing to their mental and physical distress. 

A new systematic review sponsored by WHO has found that working longer hours is associated with a higher risk of developing serious health problems and even death.  The combined data from two previous systematic reviews that included 37 studies on heart disease and 22 studies on stroke from 1970-2018 in which more than 1.5 million people in total were represented were analysed. The researchers found that working 55 or more hours per week is associated with an increased risk of disease. Specifically, those who work more than 55 hours a week are 35 percent more likely to have a stroke and 17 percent more likely to die from heart disease compared to people working 35-40 hours a week. 

Approximately 488 million people across the globe work more than 55 hours a week, according to the review. Based on the data, the researchers estimate 745,000 people died from stroke and heart disease in 2016 as a result of working long hours – a 29 percent increase compared with data from 2000. Most of the deaths in the study were of people between 60 and 79 years old who had worked 55 hours or more per week for decades. 

What is the way out? Organisations need to take a leaf out of Tokyo-based Japanese company – Itochu Corporation -- which was in the news recently for banning late night work. Yes, working in the office after 8 pm is not permitted as also overtime -- with rare exceptions. Security guards and human resources staff would tell employees to go home. Those clinging to their desk would be asked to come in early the next day to get their work done -- and get paid extra. The company saw five-fold jump in profit per employee from 2010 to 2021 and the fertility rate among full-time employees also doubled. Notably, it reached almost two children per female employee in the last fiscal -- far exceeding Japan's current national rate of about 1.3.

Organisations in India are also rising to the occasion like the Maharashtra Transport Department. Remember the ghastly bus accident that took place on July 1 when a sleeper coach bus collided with a divider on the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg (expressway) in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district? Preliminary probe found the driver’s negligence caused the accident and the impact was considerable that it caused the bus to catch fire, resulting in the tragic loss of 25 people. The findings of a police forensic report reportedly revealed that the bus driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. 

Following the accident, as an immediate measure, the Maharashtra Transport Department has decided to crack the whip against transport operators, aggregators and companies. If drivers are made to do double or triple shifts, depriving them of sleep it will cost the employer dearly. If the cause of any mishap is a sleep-deprived driver, the RTO will block his employer operator’s tourist vehicle permits and permissions. The idea is to ensure that drivers do not drive for more than nine hours continuously.

The take-home message is working long hours over the course of years can have a serious impact on an individual’s health. It can specifically increase one’s risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke.  

At an individual level at least for the sake of one’s family, one should ensure she/he does not overwork. 

Remember what the American author and businessman Stephen Covey once said – “most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important”. How true.

One’s health ought to take priority over many other things. If one feels tired, it is better to take a break. 

Yes, the heavens will not fall.