How the workforce in Industry 4.0 is overburdened with ‘’Time Poverty”: An Indian sub-continent story?

Author: Sarat C. Das

As our societies have massively amassed wealth and boast themselves to have achieved stellar efficiency people feel persistently “time poor”—overwhelmed by interminable Sisyphean tasks. Now, we are under the spell of a new pandemic ‘’Time Poverty’’, a concept weaponized by corporates against the workers.

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The Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0, has transformed the global workforce with automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT). The dawn of this Industry 4.0 promised efficiency, automation, and enhanced productivity. Yet, amid the rapid technological advancements, the workforce finds itself increasingly burdened by a new, paradoxical crisis—Time Poverty. While these advancements promise efficiency and economic growth, they have also introduced this unknown crisis of time poverty.

Over the past few decades, global wealth has grown exponentially, yet this material prosperity has not led to greater time affluence. Instead, many people feel persistently “time poor”—overwhelmed by endless tasks and lacking sufficient time to complete them. Laura Giurge, Ashley Whilans and Colin West in their research study titled ”Why time povery matters for individuals, organisations and nations” published in Nature Human Behaviour  lends an insight into the time poverty that is strongly linked to declining well-being, poor physical health, and reduced productivity, yet its effects are often overlooked by individuals, organizations, and policymakers. ‘’While billions of dollars are invested annually to combat material poverty, time poverty remains largely ignored—or even worsened—by modern work and social structures.’’

Despite automation and artificial intelligence (AI) reducing the necessity for manual labor in some areas, workers are now expected to perform more complex, cognitively demanding tasks, juggle multiple responsibilities, and be available beyond traditional work hours. This crisis is exacerbated by always-on work culture, digital surveillance, gig economy pressures, and blurred work-life boundaries.

Time poverty, the chronic lack of sufficient free time to rest, engage in personal growth, or foster social relationships, is plaguing employees across sectors. It refers to the chronic lack of discretionary time—time not spent on work or survival needs—leading to stress, burnout, and deteriorating mental health. This is all about the feeling of having insufficient time to fulfill all necessary and desired activities, often due to a demanding schedule and the feeling of being overwhelmed with work, household responsibilities, and personal commitments.

Apparently, this is a subjective experience of not having enough time to do everything one needs or wants to do, encompassing both work and personal life. It’s often linked to a busy schedule, work-related pressures, and the demands of household responsibilities, leading to a constant feeling of being rushed and overwhelmed. Even when enough time is objectively available, the demands of multiple competing obligations can be exhausting, creating a sense of losing control over one’s schedule. This often leads to inefficient or less fulfilling use of time, discouraging engagement in meaningful or productive activities.

Time poverty can lead to stress, burnout, and a decline in well-being, as individuals struggle to balance work, personal life, and self-care. While income poverty focuses on financial resources, time poverty focuses on the scarcity of time, which can impact individuals’ ability to engage in activities that are important for their well-being and development.

Researchers are increasingly studying time poverty and its impact on individuals, organizations, and nations, recognizing the importance of addressing this issue to promote well-being and productivity. Their study indicates that time poverty can stem from factors such as heavy workloads, long commutes, unpaid domestic labor, and caregiving responsibilities. Studies also show that women are disproportionately affected, as they are more likely to juggle multiple roles, balancing professional, household, and caregiving duties.

Time poverty is especially prevalent among parents and primary caregivers. According to official UK statistics from 2018, individuals living with children under 15 have up to 14 fewer hours of free time per week compared to those living alone. Research indicates that low-income mothers, who often lack the support systems available to higher earners, are particularly vulnerable to intense time pressure. This chronic scarcity of time can trap individuals in a cycle of social and economic hardship, limiting their opportunities for personal growth and financial stability.

‘’The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of these challenges, further intensifying the burden of unpaid caregiving and domestic labor,’’ reveals Katie Bishop in her published article in BBC online.   However, experts suggest that targeted interventions and policy changes could help bridge the gap and alleviate the impacts of time poverty.

‘’ We live in an era in which productivity is fetishised: ‘always on’ culture means that our work often strays into our personal time; parenting feels more intense; and our friends, hobbies and interests are just a tap or swipe away on our phones, 24/7,’’ says Bishop.

“You will find it hard to find any one human being who says that they are not time poor,” says Grace Lordan, director of the Inclusion Initiative at the London School of Economics. “People more regularly feel like they need to be on call for work, family and friends, as we are so plugged into technology all the time. For children, there are many more structured activities compared to the past, so for parents, your Saturday is no longer simply opening the door and letting a child out to play. These shifts have fundamentally changed the way that we perceive and feel about time.”

The Industry 4.0 revolution, rather than liberating workers, has paradoxically trapped them in cycles of overwork and exhaustion, leading to increased stress, burnout, and declining mental health. In the Indian subcontinent, where rapid industrialization meets a vast informal workforce, the burden of time poverty is particularly severe.

For policymakers, behavioral scientists, and decision-makers, addressing time poverty is essential, as it directly impacts workforce efficiency, economic stability, and overall societal well-being. Much like material poverty, time poverty is a widespread issue that affects everything from individual mental health to organizational productivity.

One key driver is societal pressure—the glorification of the “always-on” worker creates a mindset where leisure is seen as a luxury rather than a necessity, according to Celestine Rosales. ‘’Simultaneously, the relentless pace of modern life, with its constant flow of information and competing demands, leaves people feeling perpetually behind.’’

At the organizational level, jobs have become increasingly complex and demanding, often requiring longer hours while prioritizing time spent over actual productivity. Work structures further fragment time, with inefficiencies like forced idle time, excessive meetings, and administrative burdens preventing workers from using their time effectively.

Beyond the workplace, bureaucratic obstacles—such as endless paperwork and inefficient urban planning—consume valuable hours. Long commutes, for example, are a direct consequence of poor infrastructure and unaffordable housing near job centers, forcing workers to sacrifice personal time for economic survival.

Adding to the problem, many people undervalue their own time, prioritizing income over time savings. Yet, these small daily “time costs” accumulate, leading to higher stress, reduced well-being, and lower overall life satisfaction. To combat time poverty, policymakers and organizations must restructure work environments, rethink urban planning, and shift cultural attitudes toward a more balanced and sustainable approach to time management.

The 24/7 Work Cycle: The Dystopian World of “Maze Runner”

Researchers highlight that time-poor individuals often struggle to find the hours needed to pursue better job opportunities or make informed financial decisions. The resulting economic hardship further deepens their time poverty, creating a self-perpetuating cycle.

This imbalance can manifest in various ways—households without reliable internet spend more time completing essential tasks, parents who cannot afford childcare must dedicate more hours to caregiving, and workers who lack the means to live in urban centers endure long, exhausting commutes.

“From an economic perspective, time poverty manifests in lower productivity, and eventually lower chances for advancement,” says Aleksander Tomic, the associate dean for Strategy, Innovation and Technology at the department of economics, Boston College. “This ultimately results in a wage gap.”

Rahul Srivastava (name changed), a 32-year-old IT professional in Bengaluru, logs into his workstation at 9 AM. His company, a multinational tech firm, follows an “agile” work model, meaning constant updates, back-to-back virtual meetings, and an expectation of instant responses. By 7 PM, he is exhausted—but his Slack notifications keep buzzing. His American colleagues are just starting their day.

“I haven’t had a proper lunch break in months,” Rahul confesses. “If I step away for 20 minutes, I return to 50 unread messages.”

The Gig Economy Trap

Meanwhile, in Dhaka, 28-year-old Farida works as a freelance content moderator for a Silicon Valley firm. She earns $3 an hour reviewing graphic content—a job that leaves her mentally drained. With no fixed hours, she works late into the night to meet deadlines.

“I don’t even have time to visit my family in the village,” she says. “If I take a day off, someone else will take my projects.”

Automation Anxiety

In Pakistan’s textile hubs, workers like Imran face a different pressure—machines are replacing them. Factories that once employed 500 now run with 200 workers, supervised by AI-driven systems. Those who remain work longer shifts to keep up with machine-paced production.

“The loom doesn’t get tired,” Imran says. “But we do.”

The Always-On Culture – Blurring Work and Life

The Remote Work Mirage

Industry 4.0 promised flexibility, but in reality, remote work has erased boundaries. A 2023 study by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) found that 68% of white-collar employees work beyond stipulated hours, with 40% reporting sleep deprivation.

Priya, a Delhi-based marketing executive, recalls: “During lockdown, my boss expected me to reply at midnight because ‘we’re all at home anyway’.”

The Informal Sector’s Invisible Chains

For India’s vast informal workforce—street vendors, domestic helpers, delivery riders—digital platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, and UrbanClap have intensified time poverty.

Ramesh, a food delivery rider in Mumbai, says: “The app tracks my speed. If I’m late twice, my ratings drop. I skip meals to meet deadlines.”

How Corporations Are Fueling Time Poverty?

Exploitative Productivity Demands and Unrealistic Workloads and Metrics

Corporations prioritize output over well-being, setting unattainable KPIs that force employees into unpaid overtime.

·       Example: In Bangladesh’s garment factories, workers operate at machine-paced speeds, with productivity software tracking every minute of their labor.

·       Impact: Physical exhaustion, repetitive strain injuries, and diminished job satisfaction.

The “Hustle Culture” Mentality

Companies glorify overwork, equating long hours with dedication. This is particularly prevalent in startups and multinational firms.

·       Example: Narayana Murthy’s (Infosys founder and chief mentor) controversial call for 70-hour workweeks reflects a corporate mindset that equates sacrifice with success.

·       Impact: Employees internalize guilt for taking breaks, perpetuating a cycle of self-exploitation.

Gender and Class Disparities in Time Poverty

The Gendered Burden of Unpaid Labor

Women disproportionately bear unpaid caregiving and domestic work, limiting their ability to engage in paid employment.

·       Data: Indian women spend 299 minutes daily on unpaid labor vs. men’s 97 minutes.

·       Corporate Complicity: Lack of childcare support and rigid schedules force women out of the workforce or into low-paying, part-time roles.

The Class Divide in Time Affluence

Wealthier employees can outsource domestic tasks, while low-wage workers juggle multiple jobs to survive.

·       Example: Urban elite women hire maids, while rural women spend hours fetching water and fuel, leaving no time for paid work.

·       Corporate Role: Companies paying poverty wages exacerbate this divide, as workers take on extra shifts to make ends meet.

Corporate Policies That Worsen Time Poverty

Understaffing and Cost-Cutting

To maximize profits, corporations operate with skeleton crews, overburdening remaining employees.

·       Example: Retail and healthcare workers in India report doing the work of 2-3 people due to hiring freezes.

·       Impact: Chronic stress, higher turnover, and reduced service quality.

Resistance to Flexible Work Arrangements

Despite evidence that flexibility boosts productivity, many firms enforce rigid office hours.

·       Example: Only 12% of Indian companies offer 4-day workweeks, despite trials showing 20% higher productivity.

·       Impact: Inflexibility harms parents, caregivers, and those with long commutes.

How Corporations Can Alleviate Time Poverty?

Policy Changes Needed

Enforce Work-Hour Limits: Regulate overtime and penalize companies for overwork.

Mandate Paid Leave: Ensure parental leave, mental health days, and vacation time.

Invest in Childcare: On-site daycare or subsidies can help retain female employees.

Adopt Results-Only Work Environments (ROWE): Judge employees by output, not hours logged.

Worker Empowerment

·       Unions & Collective Bargaining: Bangladeshi garment workers’ unions have successfully negotiated breaks and overtime pay.

·       AI for Good: Automation should reduce drudgery, not just cut jobs (e.g., scheduling tools to prevent burnout) 

The Promise of Industry 4.0: A Double-Edged Sword

Industry 4.0 integrates AI, machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), and automation, creating hyper-efficient workplaces. Ideally, these innovations should reduce workloads and free employees to focus on creative, meaningful tasks. However, the reality is different. Instead of empowering workers, these technologies have led to work intensification, job insecurity, and constant performance tracking. Employees are expected to adapt to fast-changing technology, upskill continuously, and remain hyper-productive.

A factory worker in an automated production line, for instance, is no longer just operating machinery; they must now monitor AI-driven systems, troubleshoot issues, and analyze real-time data. A knowledge worker, once limited to office hours, is now perpetually connected via emails, virtual meetings, and digital task managers, creating an illusion of flexibility while eroding personal time.

How Time Poverty Manifests in the Industry 4.0 Workforce?

Digital Overload and Work Creep

Technology has erased the traditional 9-to-5 structure. Emails, Slack messages, and project management tools like Asana and Trello keep workers tethered to their jobs beyond office hours. Employers expect instant responses, creating an environment where employees struggle to disconnect. Work no longer remains confined to a physical location; it follows workers home, to vacations, and even into personal moments.

For instance, an IT professional managing cloud security must be available 24/7 to address potential cyber threats, leading to chronic sleep deprivation and work-induced anxiety. Smartphones, instead of offering convenience, have become tools of surveillance, constantly monitoring availability and productivity.

The Gig Economy and Precarious Work

While traditional full-time jobs have blurred boundaries, gig economy workers face an even harsher reality. Industry 4.0 has fueled platform-based gig work, where algorithms dictate schedules, pay, and job availability. Delivery drivers, ride-hailing drivers, and freelance professionals experience unpredictable work hours, making it nearly impossible to plan their personal lives.

Take the case of a food delivery driver working for an app-based platform. Surge pricing and algorithmic scheduling compel them to work longer hours for fluctuating wages. Their income depends on availability, leading to an endless hustle where rest becomes a luxury they cannot afford.

Performance Monitoring and Surveillance

AI-driven workplace surveillance has intensified pressure on employees. Automated tracking systems measure keystrokes, screen activity, response times, and even employee sentiment through facial recognition. This relentless monitoring forces workers to maintain unrealistic levels of output, fearing job loss or reduced incentives.

For instance, in an Amazon fulfillment center, workers must meet strict picking and packing targets, monitored by AI systems. Employees report skipping bathroom breaks or avoiding sick days due to fear of being penalized. Instead of reducing burdens, automation has enforced inhumane productivity standards, making time poverty an inescapable reality.

The Need for Constant Upskilling

Industry 4.0 necessitates continuous learning and reskilling. While lifelong learning is essential for career growth, it comes at a cost—personal time and mental well-being. Many employees must enroll in online courses, attend certification programs, and engage in professional development outside of work hours.

A software developer, for example, must stay updated with new programming languages, AI advancements, and cybersecurity protocols. If they fail to keep up, they risk job displacement. This pressure forces workers to sacrifice family time, hobbies, and leisure in pursuit of professional survival.

The Mental Health Toll of Time Poverty

The relentless pace of Industry 4.0 is leading to rising burnout, anxiety, and depression. Workers experience decision fatigue, information overload, and emotional exhaustion, impacting both their productivity and personal happiness.

Studies indicate that chronic work-related stress leads to increased cases of cardiovascular diseases, weakened immune systems, and sleep disorders. Employees feel trapped in a cycle where they must overwork to remain employable, yet their declining health makes sustained productivity impossible.

The Mental Health Crisis – When Time Becomes a Luxury

Burnout and Depression

A 2024 Lancet study revealed that South Asia has the highest rates of workplace stress, with India ranking among the top three countries for anxiety disorders.

Dr. Ananya Rao, a psychologist in Hyderabad, explains: “People are working harder but feel emptier. They have money, but no time to enjoy it.”

The Family Time Deficit

In traditional societies like Pakistan and Bangladesh, familial bonds are weakening. Parents working 12-hour shifts rarely see their children. A Karachi-based schoolteacher, Ayesha, says: “Kids are raised by screens because parents are always working.”

Can Policy and Technology Fix Time Poverty?

The Four-Day Workweek Experiment

Some Indian startups, inspired by European models, are testing shorter workweeks. Early results show 20% higher productivity and happier employees. But can this work in manufacturing?

Unions Fighting Back

In Bangladesh’s garment sector, unions demand mandatory breaks and overtime pay. After protests, some factories agreed—but enforcement remains weak.

The Role of AI in Reducing Workloads

Paradoxically, AI could help. Predictive scheduling apps and automation tools may free up time—if companies prioritize well-being over profits.

Potential Solutions to Time Poverty in Industry 4.0

While Industry 4.0 has exacerbated time poverty, solutions exist to mitigate its impact. Organizations, policymakers, and workers must take collective action to redefine productivity, prioritize well-being, and create sustainable work environments.

Implementing the Right to Disconnect

Countries like France and Spain have implemented “right to disconnect” laws, preventing employers from contacting workers outside business hours. Similar policies should be adopted globally to restore work-life balance and prevent digital burnout.

Redefining Productivity Metrics

Instead of measuring productivity through hours worked or constant digital activity, companies must focus on outcomes and impact. Encouraging task-based work rather than time-based work allows employees to manage their schedules more effectively.

Shortening the Workweek

Experiments with a four-day workweek in countries like Iceland and Japan have demonstrated increased efficiency, better mental health, and improved job satisfaction. Organizations must explore similar models to combat time poverty.

Ethical AI and Fair Gig Economy Policies

Companies leveraging AI for workplace surveillance must adopt transparent, ethical monitoring practices that respect employees’ personal time. Additionally, gig economy platforms must implement fair pay structures, predictable scheduling, and legal protections to safeguard workers from exploitation.

Encouraging Collective Action and Worker Advocacy

Labor unions and worker cooperatives must advocate for fair digital labor policies, sustainable workloads, and greater autonomy over work schedules. Employee-led initiatives can pressure corporations and governments to address time poverty as a serious socio-economic issue.

Time Poverty as a Corporate Responsibility

Corporations didn’t create time poverty alone, but their profit-driven practices accelerate it. From algorithmic wage theft in gig work to glorifying burnout in white-collar jobs, businesses must be held accountable. Solutions exist—redistributing workloads, valuing caregiving labor, and redefining productivity—but require systemic change.

As Ashley Whillans (Harvard Business School) argues, “Time poverty harms well-being more than unemployment”. If corporations continue to treat time as an infinite resource to exploit, the human cost will only grow.

Finally, how we must look at Time Poverty?

Industry 4.0 has transformed the way we work, offering both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges. While automation and AI-driven efficiency were expected to reduce workload burdens, they have instead intensified time poverty, work stress, and burnout. Workers now struggle to balance their personal and professional lives, trapped in an economy that demands constant availability and performance.

However, by implementing fair work policies, ethical AI usage, and structural changes in work culture, society can reclaim time as a fundamental right rather than a privilege. Only through collective action and forward-thinking policies can we ensure that Industry 4.0 serves humanity, rather than enslaving it in cycles of overwork and exhaustion.

 (The author is the Editor of Manager)