24% Indians Work 16+ Hours Unpaid Each Week, Reveals People At Work Report

Around 24 per cent of workers in India reported working for 16 hours or more each week without being paid for the additional work, according to the 2026 People at Work report. The findings are based on responses from 39,000 working adults across different countries. Of these, 13,136 respondents were from the Asia-Pacific region.

The report also found that 40 per cent of workers in India spent between six and 15 hours per week on unpaid work in 2025. The findings highlight concerns around long working hours and the impact of additional unpaid work on employees’ productivity, engagement and overall experience at the workplace.

Turkey followed India, with 23 per cent of workers reporting 16 hours or more of unpaid work every week. The share stood at 21 per cent in Austria and 20 per cent each in the US and Egypt. The Czech Republic recorded the lowest share, at 4 per cent.

The report noted that employees can work more efficiently when they clearly understand what they are expected to accomplish. Having clear goals and responsibilities can help workers manage their time better and focus on tasks that have the greatest impact.

Are People In India Giving It Their All At Work?

The report found that 80 per cent of workers globally were not fully engaged at their jobs in 2025. While employee engagement has improved since the coronavirus pandemic, fewer than one in five workers were fully engaged at work last year.

India also recorded a decline in the share of fully engaged workers. The rate fell from 19 per cent in 2024 to 15 per cent in 2025, after reaching 23 per cent in 2023. The decline suggests that despite employees putting in long hours, working longer does not necessarily translate into stronger workplace engagement.

Indian Workers Reported Long Working Hours, Digital Overload

Indian workers also reported challenges such as digital overload and extended working hours. Concerns over work entering employees’ personal time have also increased, with Parliament considering a Right to Disconnect Bill. Long and fragmented working days can leave employees with less energy and concentration, making it difficult to remain motivated and engaged. Skill gaps are another factor that may affect workplace engagement, particularly as job roles and required skills continue to change.

AI Use Among Workers

The report also highlighted differences in how workers across countries are using artificial intelligence (AI). India recorded the highest share of respondents at 41 per cent who said they use AI almost every day, showing the growing adoption of AI tools in the workplace.

At the other end of the spectrum, Japan recorded the highest share of respondents who said they had not tried AI yet (43 per cent). The findings point to significant differences in AI adoption across countries and suggest that employees are increasingly incorporating AI into their daily work, although the pace of adoption varies.

Overall, the findings show that Indian workers are spending considerable time on unpaid work while workplace engagement remains relatively low. As employers increasingly focus on productivity and AI adoption, the report also underlines the importance of reasonable workloads, clear expectations and better work-life boundaries for maintaining an engaged workforce.