Here’s how Gen Z really feels about the 10-hour workday policy

The workplace is changing, and with it comes a new clash between tradition and modernity. In Maharashtra, the government recently approved an extension of maximum working hours in the private sector from nine to 10 hours a day, provided employees are compensated for the extra time. While this might appear as a simple policy adjustment, for Gen Z employees—poised to make up more than a quarter of the global workforce by 2025—it feels like a step backwards. 

We aren’t afraid to speak up. Our generation openly challenges outdated systems, driving conversations about burnout, toxic work culture, and what success really means. Which is why the new 10-hour shift policy might have struck such a nerve with Gen Z.

The Gen Z perspective

Unlike our predecessors, Gen Z has little interest in conforming to rigid workplace models. This is a generation that thrives on flexibility, autonomy, and meaning in their careers. They are digital natives, raised on instant communication and constant connectivity; they expect the same dynamism in their work lives too. To them, long days in the office are less a badge of commitment and more a symptom of an unhealthy system. Rather than equating longer hours with higher productivity, extended hours only feel like a barrier to balance, personal growth, and mental well-being.

Why structure feels restrictive

For a generation that celebrates diversity and unconventional thinking, being confined to traditional structures feels suffocating. Gen Z seeks out spaces where individuality is not only accepted but encouraged. A 10-hour workday, however, leaves little room for creativity or choice. Instead, it represents a rigid framework that prioritises time served over value delivered, clashing with Gen Z’s entrepreneurial mindset and desire for personal agency.

Mental health at the centre

More than any generation before ours, Gen Z is vocal about the importance of mental health. Growing up in an era defined by rapid change, social media pressures, and information overload, we have become acutely aware of the toll that work can take on well-being. Extending the workday risks exacerbating stress, anxiety, and fatigue, with many arguing that no job is worth compromising mental health for. Rather than chasing promotions or higher pay, a large segment of Gen Z workers would prefer more vacation days, greater flexibility, and supportive managers who prioritise wellness.

Productivity misconceptions

Critics often label Gen Z as resistant to hard work, but this mischaracterisation overlooks a crucial distinction. It is not work itself we reject, but harmful structures that glorify overwork. Studies highlight that 86 per cent of Gen Z workers place career advancement through new skills at the top of their priorities, while 89 per cent believe a sense of purpose is essential for job satisfaction. Technology is central to their productivity, with over half believing that digital tools make them more efficient and 70 per cent willing to switch jobs for better tech infrastructure. What this reveals is that Gen Z is deeply motivated and ambitious, but unwilling to accept outdated models that prioritise hours over outcomes.

The broader impact on work culture

The strong backlash to policies like Genpact’s attempt to enforce 10-hour workdays underlines a cultural shift. Gen Z is pushing back against the idea that productivity is measured in time spent behind a desk. Instead, they advocate for workplaces that value creativity, inclusivity, and purpose. Our willingness to job-hop if the expectations are not met has put employers on notice, forcing organisations to rethink retention strategies and align with the values of this new workforce.

The debate around 10-hour workdays is more than a labour law discussion; it is a reflection of changing generational priorities. For Gen Z, success is not defined by endless hours but by meaningful work, supportive environments, and the freedom to create balance. As we continue to enter and reshape the workforce, companies unwilling to adapt may find themselves struggling to keep pace.

In rejecting outdated structures, Gen Z is not only protecting our own well-being but also rewriting the rules of modern work, making it clear that the future of productivity lies not in longer days, but in smarter, healthier ways of working.

Lead Image: IMDb

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