If you’re active in Twitterjaya, then you probably would have come across an ongoing discussion about working culture, or more specifically, that the idea of losing sleep due to working overtime is glorified and is often seen as admirable (despite not being paid for working said overtime hours).
Most recently, this particular issue became a topic of discussion because of a tweet from PKR Vice President Rafizi Ramli, who listed out the things he hoped his interns learnt during their time in PKR.
I have 16 @InternKeadilan in my office.
What I hope they had learnt so far:
1) life doesn’t get better when you get older. It means more pain continuously.
2) those who embrace pain & carry on running will succeed
3) you make a difference by sleeping less & working more hours
— Rafizi Ramli (@rafiziramli) July 24, 2018
The final point, in particular, sparked some controversy among netizens, who thought he was glorifying overworking culture, which is both mentally and physically unhealthy for those who practise this very frequently. Many also pointed out the issue of burnout when it comes to continuously working overtime.
No. 3 is nonsensical. Humans are most productive when they get enough sleep. Improved memory, reduced inflammation, increased creativity, increased stamina, sharpened attention, lower stress levels, better state of mental health are all benefits of adequate rest and sleep.
— adam ummar (@univorso) July 25, 2018
Many blue collared workers slave with little sleep and little hopes of success. You are setting a terrible, archaic example by expecting less hours of sleep equals success. Sacrifices can be noble, but it should not be a prerequisite or an expectation.
— Sidney Chan (@TheSidneyChan) July 25, 2018
I think we need to start looking into working smart > working hard. Work life balance is key, ppl will enjoy what they do more and it keeps them healthy and happier. Healthy, happy ppl absorb knowledge like sponges, if u are looking at this as a way to educate.
— nadiah syazana (@xnady3) July 26, 2018
Disagree with No.3 because if you don’t enough rest, you’ll get burned out, which can lead to sickness and that will not be productive for anyone. You have to have a balance in your life, working too hard doesn’t necessarily gives the best outcome.
— Amir Rahim (@amir_rahim7) July 25, 2018
Sir, with all due respect : Equal work for equal pay. Interns are not slaves, requiring them to work overtime entitles them to be recognized monetarily.
— Challenger (@Challenger_MY) July 25, 2018
Point No. 3 is ridiculous. Work shall not be every individual’s sole purpose in life. Every individual deserves the right to put the pen down at 5 or 6 pm and continue the next day. Efficiency should be given importance, not working overtime.
— Sanjay Govind Nair (@sanjgnair) July 26, 2018
In light of the backlash to his tweet, Rafizi took to the social media platform again to clarify what he meant in his third point. He explained that he wanted his interns to work efficiently and master the art of multitasking at work.
Interesting response on my view that you make a difference when you work more.
I don't mean spending longer hours in office feeling demotivated till you go psycho.
I mean doing everything so efficiently that you can do 4 different things in 12 hours, compared to other people.
— Rafizi Ramli (@rafiziramli) July 25, 2018
Responses to the PKR Vice President’s tweet have definitely opened up a much-needed discussion about overworking.
Countless scientific studies have shown that working many hours overtime can increase one’s risk of burning out. Seriously, burnout is no joke. Burnout symptoms are not only psychological, as they can also manifest in physical symptoms that can harm your health in the long run. Here are just some of the symptoms of someone who’s burnt out, according to Forbes;
- Exhaustion (emotional, mental, or physical)
- Declining job performance
- Interpersonal problems at home or work
- Health problems (e.g.: digestive issues, heart disease, depression, and anxiety)
- Decreased satisfaction with work
- Not taking care of yourself
On top of that, cases of people committing suicide due to overwork have become so common in Japan, that they even have a special name for it in Japanese, ‘Karoshi‘!
So guys, let’s not take our mental and physical health for granted and do our best to achieve a healthy work-life balance!
What are your thoughts on this recent tweet? Let us know in the comments below!
Also read: Nurse Found Dead in Dorm Due to Allegedly Overworking for 13 Days Straight
