NEW DELHI: Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) HR head Sonica Muraleedharan defended chairman S N Subrahmanyan’s recent remarks advocating for a 90-hour work week, which sparked online outrage.
In a LinkedIn post, Muraleedharan clarified that Subrahmanyan’s comment was misinterpreted and that the intention behind it was not to mandate such extreme working hours.
Muraleedharan, who was present during the internal address, wrote, “Having been present during the internal address, I can confidently state that SNS never implied or mandated 90-hour work weeks. His remarks were casual in nature and have been misinterpreted, fuelling a controversy that doesn’t reflect his true intentions.”
Subrahmanyan’s remarks, which were recorded in a circulating video, initially triggered criticism after he suggested that employees should consider working 90 hours a week, including giving up Sundays. His statement, “How long can you stare at your wife?” was widely condemned as insensitive and disconnected from work-life balance realities.
The controversy reignited a broader debate on work hours in India, particularly after Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy previously supported a 70-hour work week. Subrahmanyan, in his address, justified his stance by citing a conversation with a Chinese professional who claimed that working 90 hours a week could help surpass the US, where the average work week is around 50 hours. He added, “Chinese people work 90 hours a week, while Americans work only 50 hours a week. If you have got to be on top of the world, you have to work 90 hours a week.”
Muraleedharan continued to support Subrahmanyan’s leadership, saying, “With nearly five years in this organization and numerous addresses from SNS under my belt, I can personally vouch for his leadership style. He treats every employee as part of an extended family, fostering a sense of unity and belonging that’s rare in today’s corporate world.” She further highlighted Subrahmanyan’s commitment to both personal and professional growth, asserting that he consistently encouraged innovation and skill development among employees.
She concluded, “It’s crucial to take a step back and fully understand the context and intent behind his words before rushing to judgement. Leaders like SNS inspire positive change and growth, and it’s vital to recognize their efforts rather than misinterpret them.”
