Larsen & Toubro’s chairman, SN Subrahmanyan, recently faced backlash after comments he made about wanting his employees to work 90 hours a week went viral. During an employee interaction, Subrahmanyan expressed regret over not being able to make employees work on Sundays, suggesting that working on weekends would lead to “extraordinary outcomes.”
His remarks, which included a controversial question about what employees do at home, sparked widespread criticism. In response, the company issued a statement clarifying that his comments were intended to highlight the importance of “extraordinary effort” for achieving remarkable results, and not to pressure employees into extended working hours.
Industry reacts
Rajiv bajaj Managing director of bajaj Auto said,” The 90 hour work week start from top. I can work while having my mornin teas while doing yoga. Number of work hours don’t matter quality matters.”
Shantanu Deshpande, founder of Bombay shaving company, commented,”When you are 22 and new in your job, throw yourself into it. Eat well and stay fit, but put in the 18 hour day for at least 4-5 years.”
Cred founder, kunal shah said,”No big achievement can come with work life balance.”
Namita thappar said,”I think for founders and high stake holders who make tons of money go for it work.. 24 hours a day forever”
Actress Deepika Padukone wrote on Instagram ‘Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements’.
Bhavish Aggarwal, CEO of Ola cabs said,”Dont think work life balance is the right construct… weekends are a western concept”
L&T clarifies
“At L&T, nation-building is central to our mission. For over 80 years, we have played a key role in shaping India’s infrastructure, industries, and technological advancements. We believe this is India’s decade—an era that requires collective dedication and effort to drive progress and achieve our shared goal of becoming a developed nation,” the company stated.
Expanding on the chairman’s vision, an L&T spokesperson said, “The Chairman’s comments reflect a broader ambition, underscoring that extraordinary outcomes demand extraordinary effort. At L&T, we are committed to fostering a culture where passion, purpose, and performance propel us forward.”
Following the video’s sharing on Reddit, Subrahmanyan faced criticism for his statements, which were likened to a similar idea proposed by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, who suggested employees should work 70 hours a week.