The Chairman and Managing Director of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), SN Subrahmanyan, has sparked a heated debate by advocating for a 90-hour work week, including Sundays.
This controversial suggestion has reignited discussions around work-life balance in India’s corporate sector.
Background and Context
Subrahmanyan’s comments came during an employee interaction where he was questioned about L&T’s six-day workweek policy.
He expressed regret that he couldn’t mandate employees to work on Sundays, stating, “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays.”
“If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy because I work on Sundays also,” he added.
His remarks have drawn significant backlash online, with many criticizing the lack of consideration for employees’ personal lives and mental health.
Subrahmanyan’s suggestion follows similar comments made by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, who had proposed a 70-hour work week to aid in nation-building.
Both statements have faced widespread criticism, with many arguing that such expectations are unrealistic and detrimental to employee well-being.
L&T Chief’s Justification and Defense
Subrahmanyan justified his stance by citing a conversation with a Chinese professional who attributed China’s success to its strong work ethic.
He claimed that Chinese workers often put in 90-hour weeks, compared to the 50-hour weeks typically worked by Americans.
He urged L&T employees to adopt this level of dedication, stating, “If you want to be on top of the world, you have to work 90 hours a week”.
In response to the backlash, L&T defended Subrahmanyan’s comments, stating that achieving extraordinary results requires extraordinary effort, especially in a time when India is striving for progress.
The company emphasized that nation-building is at the core of its mandate and that collective dedication and effort are necessary to drive progress and realize the shared vision of becoming a developed nation.
Public Reaction and Criticism on L&T Chief’s Stance
The video of Subrahmanyan’s comments went viral on social media, triggering a debate about the lost work-life balance in India’s private sector.
Many netizens criticized his remarks as dismissive of personal lives and perpetuating a culture of overwork.
Bollywood celebrities like Deepika Padukone also weighed in, with Padukone reposting a post about the comments and writing, “Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements. #MentalHealthMatters”.
Subrahmanyan’s remarks have reignited the ongoing debate on work-life balance in corporate India.
Critics argue that such workplace philosophies can negatively impact employee health and productivity, while proponents believe that longer work hours are essential for achieving global excellence.
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