In a recent address to employees, L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan expressed regret over not being able to push his workforce to work seven days a week. His comments, echoing Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy’s recent call for a 70-hour workweek, have sparked a heated debate on work-life balance and employee well-being. Subrahmanyan expressed his regret at not being able to make employees work on Sundays, advocating for a 90-hour work week to remain globally competitive.
Subrahmanyan, in an internal meeting, went a step further by suggesting that working on Sundays should be mandatory. “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 also2,” Subrahmanyan said, adding, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? Get to the office and start working.”
Watch the video here
Watch the video here
“I think we must call them “leaders in baby diapers…” commented users
The comments have sparked backlash on social media, with users criticising the lack of concern for employees’ mental health and work-life balance. Some have pointed out that excessive work hours can lead to burnout and negatively impact productivity. Here are some comments
“So unfortunate, we have such business leaders! I think we must call them “leaders in baby diapers” 🙂 I had a few close friends who worked at L&T Madras. About 10 years ago. Going by what they said about the work culture, I felt it was like an adults’ kindergarten.”
“I don’t care about competing with China. Let China become number one; it doesn’t make any difference to me. I just want to sit with my family and enjoy the limited amount of time I have here on earth with my loved ones. Even after paying so much tax, there isn’t a single proper road in my entire locality. The garbage dumps aren’t even covered; everything is out in the open. Every other day, a flyover or bridge collapses, and new expressways already have cracks and potholes. Fix all this first, then come and ask me to work 90 hours a week.
China has progressed because its government is efficient from top to bottom, unlike here, where everything is stuck in babu raj, and every issue gets blamed on the middle class.”
“I was in that speech yesterday. Someone asked in L&T sick leave Is approved only if you fall sick two days, why and how come we can fall sick only day ? He said “then don’t fall sick” And he said if I had chance I would made you guys to work even on Sundays also. What do you do by sitting in home ? How long you stare wife face.”