Dec 03 2024.
views 80Sri Lanka’s work culture paints a tale of two extremes. On one side, the private sector is synonymous with relentless hustle, where employees are often expected to clock in long hours and “go the extra mile.” On the other, the government sector—long considered a bastion of stability—faces criticism for its laid-back attitude, with extended tea breaks, slow processes, and an apparent lack of urgency.
This dichotomy raises an important question: What defines a healthy work culture, and are either of these extremes sustainable?
In the private sector, the glorification of overwork is rampant. Employees are frequently rewarded for staying late, taking work home, and putting professional commitments above all else. While this may yield short-term results, it often leads to burnout, poor mental health, and strained personal relationships. The emphasis on hustle culture can also stifle creativity and innovation, as workers are too tired to think beyond their immediate tasks.
Meanwhile, in the public sector, the problem is reversed. The perception of a lax work ethic, characterised by excessive downtime and inefficient service delivery frustrates citizens and impacts the nation’s progress. Employees often lack the motivation to improve, as promotions and salaries are determined more by tenure than performance. While this less stressful environment may seem ideal to
outsiders, it comes at the cost of productivity and accountability.
While there are clear differences between the private and public sectors in Sri Lanka, it’s important not to pigeonhole these work cultures as entirely black and white. Not every private sector company is a relentless grind, nor is every public sector office a haven for inefficiency. There are private organisations that prioritise employee well-being and achieve exceptional productivity without resorting to hustle culture. Similarly, there are public sector departments that function with remarkable efficiency and dedication.
This complexity reminds us that the debate isn’t about choosing one model over the other, but rather about identifying and adopting practices that strike the right balance between productivity and well-being, regardless of the sector. While private sector employees need better safeguards to protect their mental health, public sector workers could benefit from stronger performance incentives and better oversight.
We asked people...
Is the private sector’s obsession with hustle culture actually doing more harm than good? Can the public sector shed its image of inefficiency and step up its game? What kind of changes are needed to create a work culture that strikes a balance between productivity and well-being?
Lahiru
I think the private sector’s obsession with hustle culture is definitely doing more harm than good. Some companies offer flexible working, but then they micromanage everything, which totally undermines the idea of trust. It’s like they don’t actually believe their employees can manage their own time. This backfires because employees feel untrusted, which leads to frustration and lower productivity. If companies want to strike a balance between productivity and well-being, they need to start with trust. If someone isn’t performing, then they have a legitimate reason to fire them, but not because they weren’t given the autonomy to succeed. This is how you create a healthier work culture—by trusting your employees to do their jobs without hovering over them.
Ariya
As a private sector employee, I can relate to the pressure of constantly being expected to do more. It's almost like if you're not working late, you're not working hard enough. But after a while, it just burns you out. I think we need a shift towards work-life balance, but it’s tough when your boss is always encouraging you to put in extra hours. We need both productivity and balance!
Nadira
I started off my career working in the public sector, and honestly, the public sector could be so much more efficient. It's frustrating when things move slowly and there’s no urgency. I don’t think they need to adopt the private sector’s overwork mentality, but a bit of motivation wouldn’t hurt. People seem too comfortable, and that affects the quality of work. A lot of employees have been around forever and they aren’t really keen on listening to the good ideas that we youngsters have. I see a lot of resistance to change.
Roshan
I have worked in both sectors, and I can honestly say that the public sector is much more relaxed, almost to a fault. I understand the job security and less pressure, but it’s a little frustrating as a taxpayer to see how much inefficiency there is. On the flip side, the private sector is all about hustle, but it’s not sustainable. I think both sides need a middle ground—more motivation in the public sector, and better work-life balance in the private sector.
Ayesha
I’m in the private sector and I’m tired of the hustle culture. It feels like you’re expected to give up your personal life just to keep up with your workload. At the same time, I do think the public sector can do more to speed things up and be more productive. I don’t want to be part of a system where everyone’s just coasting, but I also don’t want to live at the office. We really need a better balance.
Mihira
I’ve always found it odd how government workers seem to get so much time off, while those in the private sector have to juggle work and stress. But honestly, there’s not much we can do if the system is set up that way. The private sector is definitely more fast-paced, and the pressure is constant, but I agree that there’s a better way to work—maybe a system that encourages both productivity and well-being. A little less stress would go a long way.
Nimal
The questions reminded me of a recent survey by a publication about work-life balance that went viral, and honestly, I couldn’t help but laugh. It listed companies that supposedly offer a great balance, but from my own experience, that couldn’t be further from the truth. I used to work at one of those companies, and the culture was downright toxic. They promoted 'work-life balance' on paper, but in reality, it was all about pushing employees to work late, answering emails at odd hours, and sacrificing personal time. After months of trying to keep up, I had a mental breakdown. It's clear that the private sector needs to rethink its approach to work. While some public sector employees might be criticised for their slow pace, at least they aren’t being burned out by unrealistic expectations. Companies need to realise that long hours and hustle culture aren’t the answer to productivity or success—it’s just a fast track to burnout. So, when surveys like this come out, it’s laughable because they don’t reflect the reality on the ground for employees.
Samantha
I work at a company that recently made flexible working conditions permanent, and honestly, it's been a game-changer. After COVID, they realised the value of allowing employees to choose how and when they work. Since then, productivity has increased, and the overall atmosphere has shifted. People are genuinely happier and more motivated because they have the flexibility to manage their personal lives while still getting their work done. It’s a huge contrast to the old culture of long hours and strict office attendance. Giving employees that balance has not only improved their mental well-being but also made them more efficient. I honestly think this is the future—companies need to adapt to these changes if they want to keep talent happy and productive in the long run.
Nandini
I’ve worked in the private sector for years, and while my company has never made it to any of those ‘best places to work’ lists, I can genuinely say it’s one of the best environments I’ve been in. They’ve really focused on ensuring work-life balance by offering flexible hours and allowing employees to work from home when needed. It’s not just about the perks; it’s about trusting us to manage our time effectively. The leadership emphasizes results over long hours, and we’re encouraged to take breaks and disconnect when needed. This approach has improved morale, and the productivity speaks for itself. I think companies need to realise that hustle culture isn’t sustainable and doesn't lead to long-term success. If employees are trusted and given a balanced environment, they’ll perform well. If someone isn’t, then it’s fair to address it. But micromanaging or pushing constant overwork will only backfire in the end. It’s all about balance—something both sectors, private and public, could work on.
1 Comments
Gehan says:
Dec 03, 2024 at 12:01 pmMs. Rihaab is being too nice to the government sector by asking us not to pigeonhole, but the reality is that there is zero efficiency in ANY public sector office. They are the worst, extremely lazy, get annoyed when we ask them to do their job. Privatization is the best way forward. That's the only way they will fall in line. While they enjoy a laid-back work environment, we the citizens pay the price.