L&T’s Chairman defended his 90-hour workweek proposal as part of a larger vision for India’s growth, stating that extraordinary efforts are needed for extraordinary outcomes. However, the backlash from social media users and high-profile figures suggests a growing debate over the impact of such demands on employees’ mental health.
BY PC Bureau
Deepika Padukone, celebrity with a spine. It's been so long since I've seen any Indian celebrity stand up to bullies. Glad to see she's using her platform to address the problematic work culture in India. pic.twitter.com/qlYUJuYEbl
— Anaida (@anaidasultana) January 9, 2025
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has found itself at the center of controversy following its Chairman, SN Subrahmanyan’s suggestion that employees work up to 90 hours a week, including Sundays. The remarks, made in a viral video message, sparked widespread criticism from various sectors, including the corporate world and Bollywood.
“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.”
L&T chairman advocates 90-hour work week, wants employees to work on Sundays too🚨🎥#LarsenToubro #CorporateJobs… pic.twitter.com/6MqSOtXaFE
— Moneycontrol (@moneycontrolcom) January 9, 2025
In the video, Subrahmanyan suggested that employees should spend more time working at the office instead of staying at home, stating, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can wives stare at their husbands? Go to the office and start working.” He also added, “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.”
L&T issued a statement defending the Chairman’s comments, clarifying that they reflected the company’s larger ambition of nation-building, highlighting the need for “extraordinary effort” to achieve “extraordinary outcomes.” The company emphasized that this commitment to India’s progress was at the heart of its philosophy.
Despite the company’s defense, Subrahmanyan’s remarks faced backlash from multiple quarters. Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone, a staunch advocate for mental health, condemned the statement on Instagram, sharing a report by journalist Faye D’Souza and writing, “Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements.” She added the hashtag #MentalHealthMatters.
Harsh Goenka, Chairman of RPG Group, also criticized Subrahmanyan’s suggestion on social media, remarking, “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! #WorkSmartNotSlave.”
The comments ignited discussions across social media platforms, drawing comparisons to past statements by other business leaders, further intensifying the debate over work-life balance in the corporate world.
