Time to take some time off

It’s been a year since the Swedish town of Gothenburg introduced a six-hour workday. Here’s what we can all enjoy if India went down the same route

Better employees: Those who work less tend to be more productive hour for hour than those regularly pushing themselves beyond working hours.  They are less prone to sickness and absenteeism and make up a more stable and committed workforce.

A stronger economy: If handled properly, a move towards a fewer working hours will improve social and economic equality. It would be competitive, too: the Netherlands and Germany have shorter work weeks and their economies are strong.

Improved well-being: Giving everybody more time to spend as they choose would greatly reduce stress levels and improve overall well-being, as well as mental and physical health. People who have some control over their work schedules may enjoy better physical and mental well-being than those in less-flexible jobs, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews suggests. In an analysis of 10 previously published studies, researchers found that certain work conditions that gave employees some control --self-scheduling of shift work, and gradual or partial retirement--were linked to health benefits. Those benefits included lower blood pressure and heart rate, and better quality sleep and less fatigue during the day.

India’s 10 best companies to work for: Great Place to Work surveyed 1.8 lakh employees from over 700 Indian
companies on the best work culture and here’s the result...

1. RMSI Pvt. Ltd, information technology
2. Google India, information technology
3. Marriott Hotels India, hospitality
4. American Express India, financial services
5. SAP Labs India, information technology
6. Godrej Consumer Products, manufacturing and production
7. Intuit Technology Services, information technology
8. Accor Hotels India, hospitality
9. Forbes Marshall, manufacturing and production    
10. Lifestyle International, clothing retail