L&T chairman SN Subramanyam sparks debate with “work 90 hours a week, how long will you stare at your wife?” comments

In addition to suggesting the workforce clock in 90 hours a week, Subramanyan made some cheeky comments, saying, "What do you do sitting at home? How long will you stare at your wife? How long will the wife stare at you?"

Hyderabad: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman SN Subramanyan sparked controversy by suggesting employees work 90 hours a week. In a now-viral video of an employee interaction, he recommended that employees also work on Saturdays and Sundays, drawing harsh criticism.

In addition to suggesting the workforce clock in 90 hours a week, Subramanyan made some cheeky comments, saying, “What do you do sitting at home? How long will you stare at your wife? How long will the wife stare at you?”

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“I regret that I’m not able to make you work on Sundays. If I could make you work on a Sunday, I’d be happier because I work on Sundays too,” he said.

As one would expect, his comments sparked debates about work-life balance in India. While some compared his remarks to Infosys Chairman Narayana Murthy’s suggestion of a 70-hour workweek to criticize Subramanyan’s comments, others supported the chairman, arguing that his hard work has helped make L&T such a significant company, contributing immensely to nation-building.

Here are some posts on X made in response to Subramanyan’s comments:

The L&T Chairman is just telling the harsh truth. People should work hard to earn more just like me.

I start my day at 7, spend a good 4 hrs with my family and move back to work till 12.

I work 13 hrs daily. No Sat ,No Sun. Because I am below the poverty line.

— Driver Hyderabadi Chicha (@HyderabadiChic3) January 9, 2025

For the record:

L&T chairman Mr Subramnyan took home ₹ 51.05 cr in FY 24- a 43% increase over FY 23

This is 534.57 times more than the median salary of an L&T employee which was hiked by 1.32% over FY 23

Source: L&T annual report #LarsenToubro pic.twitter.com/7ppthsGkLR

— Arindam Majumder (@ari_maj) January 9, 2025

Its only because of poor labor law in India, L&T Chairman has the guts to say he regret not able to work employees on Sunday. Such a shame. He clearly doesn’t have any personal life. And want others to not have either. https://t.co/ECQalHIFEL

— sahil bhadviya (@sahilbhadviya) January 9, 2025

Chairman of the L&T – S. N. Subrahmanyan, a misogynist man who did not get his love of life and has no hobby or passion thinks everybody is living same miserable life. #snsubrahmanyan

— Shivam (@d_vadaliya) January 9, 2025

Whilst this person’s view point may be controversial, fact of matter is L&T has been a significant player in nation building (despite being a faceless corporation). Maybe it’s people like him who are able to create/build infrastructure in a complex country such as ours https://t.co/n0gp3lo7vn

— Siddharth Chand (@chandsid) January 9, 2025

The L&T chairman is getting inside the bedroom of L&T employees.

Kick him out of the bedrooms and out of his job.

— Comrade Atticus Finch (@malayaliatticus) January 9, 2025