L&T (Larsen & Toubro) Chief, S N Subrahmanyan, has stirred controversy with his remarks on work-life balance and extended work hours. In a video shared on social media, Subrahmanyan expressed regret for not making employees work on Sundays, advocating for a 90-hour workweek.
Speaking during an employee interaction, L&T Chief Subrahmanyan stated, “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be happier because I work on Sundays.”
Controversial Remarks About Home Life
Subrahmanyan’s comments didn’t stop there. He questioned the value of spending time at home, saying, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? Come on, get to the office and start working.”
He also cited a conversation with a Chinese individual who claimed that China’s economic growth was driven by workers putting in 90-hour weeks, compared to the 50-hour weeks of American workers. Subrahmanyan concluded, “If you want to be on top of the world, you have to work 90 hours a week. Get going, guys.”
Backlash on Social Media
The remarks sparked outrage online, with many criticizing the chairman for promoting excessive work hours. Users compared his statements to Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s controversial suggestion of a 70-hour workweek, which had also faced backlash last year.
One user commented, “I don’t care about competing with China. Let China become number one; it doesn’t make a difference to me. I just want to spend the limited time I have with my loved ones.”
Another user wrote, “Even Narayana Murthy was talking about 70 hours. This man is talking about 90 hours… my God! That’s some arrogance and ignorance.”
Some users expressed disappointment with L&T, with one stating, “And here I thought L&T was a good company. Seems like everyone’s following Narayana Murthy’s footsteps.”
L&T Chief Debate on Work-Life Balance
The comments have reignited the ongoing debate about work-life balance in India’s corporate sector. Critics argue that promoting long work hours undermines employee well-being and family time, while proponents claim it is necessary for economic competitiveness.
The growing conversation highlights the challenges faced by employees in balancing professional demands with personal life. It also raises questions about corporate leadership’s role in fostering sustainable work environments.
