Fri Jan 10 11:11:10 UTC 2025: **L&T Chairman Defends 90-Hour Work Week Suggestion Amidst Backlash**
MUMBAI – Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan’s controversial suggestion that employees work 90 hours a week, including Sundays, has sparked a major online backlash. While the statement initially drew sharp criticism, L&T subsequently defended the remarks, framing them within the context of India’s national development goals.
In a now-viral video message, Subrahmanyan urged employees to dedicate significantly more time to their work, citing a conversation with a Chinese businessman who highlighted China’s superior work ethic as a key factor in its economic growth. Subrahmanyan’s comments, which included questioning the value of time spent at home with family, prompted widespread condemnation on social media platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter).
Celebrities, including Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone and RPG Group Chairperson Harsh Goenka, joined the chorus of critics, voicing concerns about work-life balance and the potential for burnout. Goenka, in a post on X, sarcastically suggested renaming Sunday “Sun-duty” and questioned the feasibility of such demanding work hours.
L&T responded with a statement clarifying that Subrahmanyan’s remarks reflected the company’s ambitious vision for India’s progress. The company emphasized the need for “extraordinary effort” to achieve “extraordinary outcomes,” asserting its commitment to a culture of passion and performance. However, the statement did not directly address the criticism regarding the impracticality and potential harm of a 90-hour work week. The controversy continues to fuel debate about work culture and the balance between professional ambition and employee well-being in India.
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