'How long can you stare at wife?': L&T chief suggests working Sundays

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman SN Subrahmanyan has stirred fresh controversy with his remarks on work-life balance, advocating for a 90-hour work week and suggesting employees should work on Sundays. His comments, made during an internal employee interaction, follow similar statements by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, who had earlier proposed a 70-hour work week for young Indians.

Subrahmanyan’s statements were captured in a video circulating on Reddit, where he expressed regret over not being able to enforce a seven-day work week. “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays,” he said, sparking widespread backlash.

He went on to question what employees do at home, asking, “How long can you stare at your wife?” The remark drew sharp criticism online, with many calling it disrespectful and out of touch with employees’ personal lives.

Subrahmanyan also shared a comparison with Chinese workers, claiming they work 90 hours a week compared to the 50-hour weeks of Americans. He suggested that such dedication is necessary for India to compete globally. “If you have got to be on top of the world, you have to work 90 hours a week. Get going, guys,” he said.

The video has reignited debates on workplace culture and work-life balance in India. Critics argue that such statements trivialize employees’ personal lives and perpetuate a toxic culture of overwork. Many users on Reddit and social media platforms compared Subrahmanyan’s comments to those made by Narayana Murthy, noting a troubling trend among corporate leaders advocating excessive work hours.

While some supporters believe longer work weeks are necessary for economic growth, the broader consensus among employees and experts is that overwork harms productivity and well-being. Subrahmanyan’s comments have added fuel to the ongoing debate about work culture in India, drawing significant public scrutiny.