L&T Chairman’s Remarks on 90-Hour Workweeks Draw Sharp Criticism
S.N. Subrahmanyan, Chairman of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), has sparked a heated debate after suggesting employees should work Sundays and extend their weekly hours to 90. His remarks, reportedly made during an internal interaction, surfaced on social media, drawing widespread criticism.
In a video shared on Reddit, Mr. Subrahmanyan was asked why L&T requires employees to work on Saturdays. He replied candidly, “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays, to be honest. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays also.”
“What Do You Do Sitting at Home?”
The L&T chief’s comments extended to questioning the utility of taking time off. “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wives stare at their husbands? Get to the office and start working,” he said. His statements, intended to encourage productivity, were met with sharp reactions online.
Drawing a comparison to global work ethics, Mr. Subrahmanyan shared an anecdote about a Chinese acquaintance. According to him, the individual remarked that China’s competitive edge over the US stems from its workforce’s commitment to 90-hour workweeks compared to America’s 50-hour average. “So that’s the answer for you. If you have got to be on top of the world, you have to work 90 hours a week,” he was quoted as saying in an HT report.
Online Backlash
The video ignited a storm of criticism on Reddit. Users drew parallels to recent remarks by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, who had advocated for a 70-hour workweek for India’s youth. “I work in L&T and had to sit through this entire thing. Imagine our horror!” wrote one user.
Another user accused corporate leaders of promoting “slavery shamelessly.” Criticisms also centered on the disparity between executive demands and the reality for lower-paid employees. “Why don’t companies offer flexible working hours? 40, 50, or 70 hours a week with corresponding pay options?” a user questioned.
A scathing comment highlighted harsh work conditions at L&T: “Even tier-one engineering graduates receive only 35k per month for 6.5-day workweeks in remote locations with minimal facilities. The majority leave within the first year.”
Corporate Work Culture
Mr. Subrahmanyan’s comments come amid growing awareness of the importance of work-life balance and mental health. A recent EY consultant’s death, attributed to job-related stress, brought renewed focus on corporate work cultures. Employees and industry observers alike are emphasizing the need for balance, flexible working conditions, and mental health support.
The backlash against Mr. Subrahmanyan’s remarks reflects a broader resistance to the “hustle culture” that some argue undermines productivity and employee well-being. While companies like L&T strive to remain competitive globally, the growing discourse around mental health suggests a shift in priorities may be necessary for sustainable corporate practices.
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