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?”
“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
