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“How Long Can you Stare at your Wife?” L&T Chairman Sparks Outrage with Call for 90-Hour Work Week
Moneylife Digital Team 10 January 2025
Economy & Nation
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman SN Subrahmanyan ignited a heated debate after suggesting that employees should work 90 hours a week, including Sundays, to remain competitive. His remarks, shared in a video message to employees, have drawn widespread criticism on social media. Not long ago, Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy's 'request' that India's youth must emulate the Japanese and the Germans (who rebuilt their respective nations after the World War), and work for 70 hours a week to build our nation caused an uproar. 
 
Mr Subrahmanyan, in a viral and undated video, while responding to an employee on challenging the need for time off, said, "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."
 
Mr Subrahmanyan expressed regret that he could not mandate work on Sundays, adding, "Honestly, I am sorry that I am not able to make you work on Sundays. I will be happier if I can make you work on Sundays because I work on Sundays, too."
 
He also justified his stance by recounting a conversation with a Chinese individual who reportedly attributed China's economic edge over the US to its strong work ethic. According to Mr Subrahmanyan, the man claimed, "Chinese people work 90 hours a week, while Americans work only 50 hours a week."
 
Defending, Mr Subrahmanyan's views, L&T, in a statement says ex-traordinary outcomes require extraordinary efforts. "At L&T, nation-building is at the core of our mandate. For over eight decades, we have been shaping India's infrastructure, industries, and technological capabilities. We believe this is India's decade, a time demanding collective dedication and effort to drive progress and realise our shared vision of becoming a developed nation. The chairman's remarks reflect this larger ambition, emphasising that extraordinary outcomes require extraordinary effort. At L&T, we remain committed to fostering a culture where passion, purpose, and performance drive us forward."
 
The video has sparked backlash, with many criticising Mr Subrahmanyan's comments as out of touch and unrealistic. Social media platforms, including X and Reddit, have been flooded with reactions, with users comparing his statement to the recent controversy surrounding Infosys founder Mr Murthy's call for a 70-hour work week.
 
Harsh Goenka, chairman of RPG Enterprises, says, "90 hours a week? Why not rename Sunday to 'Sun-duty' and make 'day off' a mythical concept! Working hard and smart is what I believe in, but turning life into a perpetual office shift? That's a recipe for burnout, not success. Work-life balance isn't optional, it's essential. Well, that's my view!"
 
 
Responding to a post by Moneylife's managing editor Sucheta Dalal on X, Harsh Mariwala, founder and chairman of Marico Ltd, a Fortune India 500 company, says, "I feel compelled to share my perspective. Undeniably, hard work is the backbone of success, but it is not about the hours clocked in. It is about the quality and passion one brings to those hours...The ultimate objective should be to make work so invigorating and rewarding that the paradigm of work-life balance seamlessly integrates."
 
 
Another user Vijay Chauhan posted on X that "Seems like his idea of a 'happy' work-life balance means no days off! His regret? Not being able to make employees work on Sundays. Well, if he's happy working on Sundays, who are we to disagree? Guess it's time to redefine 'work-life harmony' the L&T way!"
 
 
Asking Mr Subrahmanyan to let young L&T employees enjoy family life, Dr Poornima says, "Family life and leisure time is as important as work life and money. When did you last receive a call from your loved one saying we are waiting for you at home and dinner is ready ?? I receive such a call every day, and I consider myself the richest daughter in the world."
 
 
The comments have sparked a broader conversation about work-life balance, workplace expectations, and the sustainability of extended working hours. As the debate unfolds, both employees and industry leaders are questioning the implications of such demands on productivity and employee well-being.
Comments
gadagottu.shamshare
1 week ago
Productivity is important not the hours. Companies should focus on that. In my experience working in a big company with 20, 000 man power 95 % people are not involving in any decision making and group discussions. They are working 10, 20, 30 years like that and are dead inside. India is not developing due to this type of narrow minded bosses at the helms.
Reply
gopalakrishnan.tv
1 week ago
Very sorry to observe such irresponsible statement coming from a person occupying a highly responsible and respectable position. It is high time that such persons understand , digest and imbibe the essence of Sanatana Dharma and practise it in their day to day management of the corporates displaying Governance par excellent and delivering quality management satisfying their customers, employees and all stake holders . Motivating employees is an art and getting the best out of them is an achievement , but having a slavery mentality and not understanding their pressures and agonies in carrying on their day to day life life in these days of high inflation, high cost of living, their mental and physical strains in commuting to office and back and other connected worries is a misfortune and unexpected from such a highly placed person. The CMD's expectation to work 90 hrs a week is unjust and inhuman as the the very standard of life provided to an average person in india is far far below by any reckoning . The need of the hour , no doubt , is fast development of the economy and nation building aiming at the welfare for all , but for that the approach is different and it calls for drastic social reforms, political stability, economic advancement and all round support and cooperation of bureaucrats, professionals and all segments of population aspiring for a quality life.
Reply
pyk
1 week ago
I wd sell LAnd T shares now.. Subbu is getting package of 51 cr..has Chauffeur driven car, no emi tension , and no sex drive!? May be become ...you know what ..
Pay people for 48 hours and expect 90 hours work .. so free for 40 hours!!
Too much toxic culture


Reply
rr_ram_2000
1 week ago
Nothing has changed in the organization since I quit 21 years ago. Licking the bosses ass is the culture of the organization. This is the very reason that I had to quit despite having a brilliant acedemic record and working in many complicated projects. God save L&T!
Reply
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