Work on Sundays Too: L&T Chairman Sparks Outrage with Work-Life Balance Remarks

“SN Subrahmanyan’s comments about working Sundays and 90-hour work weeks draw sharp criticism from netizens, sparking debate on work-life balance.”

January 9, 2025: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan has come under fire after his controversial suggestion that employees work on Sundays and adopt a 90-hour workweek to stay competitive. His remarks, made during an internal interaction and shared on Reddit, have triggered widespread criticism and reignited the debate on work-life balance in India.

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“What Do You Do Sitting at Home?”

In the viral video, Mr. Subrahmanyan expressed regret over not being able to make employees work on Sundays, adding that he personally works on Sundays. He questioned the utility of taking time off, saying, “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.”

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L&T CMD and work life balance
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He further justified his stance by comparing work ethics in different countries. Sharing an anecdote, he claimed a Chinese acquaintance told him that China’s competitive edge over the U.S. comes from its citizens working 90 hours a week compared to Americans’ 50 hours. Encouraging employees to follow a similar regimen, he said, “If you have got to be on top of the world, you have to work 90 hours a week,” according to an HT report.

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Backlash on Social Media

The video has sparked outrage on Reddit, with many users criticizing Mr. Subrahmanyan’s comments. Comparisons were drawn to Infosys founder Narayana Murthy’s recent suggestion that Indian youth should work 70-hour weeks.

“I work in L&T and had to sit through this entire thing, imagine our horror! We blame Narayan Murthy for the 70-hour work week,” one user commented.

Others highlighted the disconnect between highly paid executives and lower-paid employees. “Why don’t companies offer flexible working hours with options like 30, 40, or 70 hours a week, with pay reflecting the hours worked?” a user suggested.

Criticism also focused on L&T’s alleged work culture. A Reddit user claimed, “L&T is one of the worst when it comes to work-life balance and pays peanuts. Even a top-tier engineering graduate gets only ₹35k a month after working six and a half days a week in remote locations. Over 90% of campus hires leave within the first three years.”

The Bigger Picture

Mr. Subrahmanyan’s comments come at a time when mental health and work-life balance are gaining prominence in workplace discussions. In July 2024, the tragic death of a 26-year-old Ernst & Young (EY) consultant brought renewed attention to the stresses associated with demanding work cultures.

While some leaders argue for longer working hours to improve competitiveness, others emphasize the importance of employee well-being, leading to an ongoing debate about sustainable work practices in India.

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Tags: L&T controversy, work-life balance, SN Subrahmanyan comments, Indian work culture, 90-hour work week, employee mental health, corporate policies, workplace stress.