Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman, SN Subrahmanyan, said something that has caused a lot of discussions. He suggested that employees should work 90 hours a week, which is even more than what Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy suggested earlier this year—70 hours a week. This comment was made during a chat and later shared on social media, sparking many different reactions from employees and the public.
In a video, Subrahmanyan answered a question about L&T’s six-day workweek. He shared that he wished employees could work on Sundays too because he believes hard work is necessary for success. “I regret I can’t make you work on Sundays. If I could, I would feel happier because I work on Sundays,” he said, challenging the idea of taking breaks. He questioned, “What do you do at home? How long can you just look at your family? Come to work!”
He also mentioned a conversation with a Chinese worker to back up his point. He said people in China work 90 hours a week, while Americans work just 50 hours. To be the best in the world, he believes one must work long hours.
Company Support for Chairman’s Views
After the controversy began, L&T stood by its Chairman. A spokesperson explained that L&T’s goal is to help build the nation, which needs “extraordinary effort.” They believe that with their mission to shape India’s infrastructure and technology, everyone needs to work hard during this important time for the country.
Mixed Reactions from Public
While the company supports Subrahmanyan, many people online criticized the idea. Some questioned why longer hours are being pushed when younger generations prefer having a good work-life balance. There were also reminders of Narayana Murthy suggesting a 70-hour workweek earlier this year for young workers in India.
Some voices, like billionaire Harsh Mariwala, stated that working longer hours doesn’t always mean working better. It shouldn’t just be about the number of hours but the quality of work during that time.
Concerns About Work-Life Balance
This discussion about long work hours also raises concerns about how it can affect people’s mental health. Critics worry that working so much could lead to stress and unhappiness, impacting overall well-being.
While Subrahmanyan and L&T defend longer working hours, it’s still unclear how this will affect their employees and how the argument between work-life balance and long hours will unfold.
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