Industry Leaders React to Controversial Remarks
A statement by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan advocating for a 90-hour workweek and discouraging Sunday breaks has sparked widespread reactions across industries, Bollywood, and political circles. Subrahmanyan’s remarks, suggesting employees should work longer hours to maximize productivity, drew sharp criticism for undermining the importance of work-life balance.
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, joined the discourse by siding with Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Poonawalla remarked, “Even my wife loves staring at me on Sundays,” emphasizing the value of personal time. Mahindra, known for his witty social media presence, previously countered Subrahmanyan’s stance by highlighting the importance of using time productively while maintaining balance.
SN Subrahmanyan’s controversial remark—“How long can you stare at your wife? What do you do sitting at home?”—has been met with humorous and critical responses. Harsh Goenka, Chairman of RPG Group, mocked the idea of excessive work hours, tweeting, “90 hours a week? Why not rename Sunday to ‘Sun-duty’? Work-life balance isn’t optional, it’s essential.”
Calls for Rethinking Productivity Standards
The conversation expanded as industry leaders like Bajaj Auto MD Rajiv Bajaj emphasized the need for quality over quantity in work. “Let 90 hours start from the top. Number of hours doesn’t matter, quality of work does. We need a kinder, gentler world more than ever before,” Bajaj stated, advocating for a more humane approach to workplace expectations.
Shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal added a lighter touch to the debate, responding to Subrahmanyan’s “stare at wife” comment with, “But sir, if husband and wife don’t look at each other, how will we remain the most populous country in the world?”
Politicians and celebrities also weighed in. TMC MP Mahua Moitra highlighted Denmark’s progressive workweek and GDP rankings as a contrast to Subrahmanyan’s views. “Get a life, Mr. Chairman,” she tweeted. Actress Deepika Padukone criticized the remarks on social media, posting, “Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements. #MentalHealthMatters.”
L&T Responds Amid Backlash
As criticism mounted, L&T issued a statement clarifying its chairman’s comments. The company reiterated its commitment to “nation-building” and framed SN Subrahmanyan’s remarks as reflecting broader ambitions for productivity and growth. However, the clarification did little to quell the backlash, with many pointing to the importance of mental health and sustainable work practices.
The debate highlights a growing divide between traditional notions of productivity and modern approaches emphasizing work-life balance, employee well-being, and smart work. While the controversy continues, it underscores the urgent need for businesses to align their goals with the evolving priorities of a dynamic workforce.
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