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"....How long can you stare at your wife,...", says L&T chairman promoting 90-hour workweek, receives backlash

L&T chairman

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) found itself at the center of a controversy after its chairman, SN Subrahmanyan, suggested a 90-hour workweek during an employee interaction. The statement, coupled with his comments about work-life balance, drew sharp criticism from various quarters, including social media users and public figures.

The Remarks

In a viral video, Subrahmanyan encouraged employees to work even on Sundays, saying, "If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be happier. Because I work on Sunday too." He further added, "What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife, and how long can the wife stare at the husband? Come on, get to the office and start working."

He also drew comparisons with other countries, noting that Chinese workers put in 90 hours a week while Americans work only 50 hours, implying that India's workforce needs to put in extraordinary efforts to compete globally.

L&T's Defense

Following the backlash, L&T released a statement defending Subrahmanyan’s remarks, framing them as aspirational. "Extraordinary outcomes require extraordinary efforts. We believe this is India’s decade, demanding collective dedication to realize our shared vision of becoming a developed nation. The Chairman’s remarks reflect this larger ambition," the company said.

The statement also highlighted L&T’s role in nation-building over the past eight decades and its commitment to fostering a culture of "passion, purpose, and performance." Criticism and Controversy The comments faced severe backlash on social media, with many calling them out for being tone-deaf and sexist.

One user wrote, "How long can employees stare at screens and fata** managers?" Another called the remarks “irresponsible” and accused Subrahmanyan of promoting an "anti-family culture" and disregarding personal choices.

Celebrities Weigh In

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone also criticized Subrahmanyan, highlighting the importance of mental health. "Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements. #MentalHealthMatters," she wrote on her Instagram story.

Comparisons to Narayana Murthy's 70-Hour Workweek Suggestion

Subrahmanyan's remarks come shortly after Infosys founder Narayana Murthy advocated for a 70-hour workweek, suggesting it was necessary to make India a global leader.

Murthy has also expressed disappointment over India's transition to a five-day workweek in 1986, arguing for a return to a more intensive work schedule.

While L&T has positioned the chairman’s remarks as a call for hard work and ambition, the backlash underscores the growing debate around work-life balance, mental health, and workplace culture in India. The incident has sparked discussions about the ethical and practical limits of productivity in the modern workforce.

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