After facing severe backlash over Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan's suggestion of a 90-hour workweek, the company defended his comments, framing them as consistent with its commitment to “nation-building” and the pursuit of “extraordinary outcomes through extraordinary efforts.”
The company issued a statement, stating, “At L&T, nation-building is at the core of our mandate. For over eight decades, we have been shaping India's infrastructure, industries, and technological capabilities. We believe this is India’s decade, a time demanding collective dedication and effort to drive progress and realise our shared vision of becoming a developed nation. The chairman’s remarks reflect this larger ambition, emphasising that extraordinary outcomes require extraordinary effort. At L&T, we remain committed to fostering a culture where passion, purpose, and performance drive us forward.”
The controversy arose after a Reddit video went viral where Subrahmanyan said he wished employees worked Sundays as well. While addressing a query about mandatory work on Saturday during an internal interaction, he said, “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be happier, because I work on Sundays. What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wife stare at her husband? Get to the office and start working.”
The remarks, deemed misogynistic and dismissive of work-life balance, drew widespread criticism online, sparking comparisons to Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy's earlier advocacy for a 70-hour workweek for young professionals.