L&T Boss SN Subrahmanyan endorses ‘90-hour work week’ | Explained by Ankit Agrawal

Summary

L&T's chairman recently sparked a debate by suggesting employees should work 90-hour weeks, including Sundays, to achieve extraordinary results. This statement, made during a conversation about work-life balance, faced significant backlash, especially as the chairman earns 51 crores, while regular employees earn much less. Critics argued that such expectations, given the salary disparity, were unrealistic and unfair. The discussion ties into broader debates on India's work culture, with some industry leaders advocating for longer work hours, while others highlight the risks to mental and physical health. L&T defended the chairman's view, emphasizing the need for extraordinary effort to achieve growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 L&T's Chairman suggested a 90-hour workweek, including Sundays, in a video that went viral, causing significant backlash.
• 😀 The Chairman's comment about employees spending too much time with their wives was deemed inappropriate and led to criticism.
• 😀 The debate over work-life balance has intensified in India, with business leaders like Narayan Murthy and Gautam Adani offering differing opinions on working hours.
• 😀 The L&T Chairman's annual salary for 2024 was reported to be ₹51 crores, significantly higher than the median salary of ₹99.5 lakhs for L&T employees.
• 😀 The proposed 90-hour workweek would require employees to work 15 hours a day for six days or 13 hours a day for seven days to meet the target.
• 😀 Critics argued that the Chairman’s expectations do not align with the reality of most employees, who earn much less and face higher work pressures.
• 😀 Social media backlash highlighted the growing concerns about work-life balance and the negative impact of excessive work hours on employees' well-being.
• 😀 The L&T Chairman defended his statement, stating that extraordinary results require extraordinary efforts, especially in a rapidly developing nation like India.
• 😀 Studies and unions have raised concerns about the health risks associated with long working hours, including increased rates of mental health issues like depression.
• 😀 The debate on work-life balance is broader than just L&T, with industry figures expressing varying views on how much work is needed to drive national and individual success.

Q & A

What controversial statement did the L&T chairman make regarding work hours?

The L&T chairman suggested that employees should work 90 hours a week, including Sundays, to achieve extraordinary results, which sparked a significant backlash.

Why did the L&T chairman's statement about working on Sundays generate backlash?

The statement generated backlash because it was seen as unrealistic and unfair, especially considering that Sunday is typically considered a day off in most workplaces. People felt it undermined the importance of work-life balance.

What was the comparison made between the L&T chairman's salary and that of the employees?

The chairman's salary was reported to be ₹51 crores, which is 534 times greater than the median salary of L&T employees, which is around ₹99.5 lakhs. This stark contrast fueled the debate about corporate salary gaps and work expectations.

What did the L&T chairman say in response to questions about employees working on Saturdays?

In response to a question about employees working on Saturdays, the chairman expressed a desire for employees to work on Sundays as well and increase their weekly work hours, citing his own commitment to working on Sundays.

What example did the L&T chairman give to justify his suggestion of a 90-hour work week?

The chairman compared India's work ethic to China's, where employees reportedly work 90 hours a week. He believed that adopting a similar work culture in India would help the country surpass the United States in terms of progress.

How did social media react to the L&T chairman's statement?

Social media reacted strongly with criticism, with many questioning the fairness of the statement and the CEO's expectations from employees, particularly given the significant salary disparity between him and the workers.

What did some people say about the health risks associated with long working hours?

There were concerns that long working hours could lead to serious health issues, including mental health problems like depression and physical health problems such as heart diseases, which have been linked to extended work hours in studies.

How did L&T defend the chairman's statement about working longer hours?

L&T defended the chairman by stating that extraordinary results require extraordinary effort, and they emphasized their commitment to nation-building and technological progress, citing their decades of contribution to India's infrastructure.

What is the broader debate regarding work-life balance in the context of high corporate expectations?

The broader debate centers on whether work-life balance should be a personal choice or whether companies should impose such expectations. While some leaders, like Narayana Murthy, suggest longer working hours for greater productivity, others, like Gautam Adani, emphasize the importance of personal time and family.

How do different industrialists view the balance between work and personal life?

Different industrialists have contrasting views on work-life balance. Narayana Murthy suggested a 70-hour work week for better productivity, while Gautam Adani believes that work-life balance is a personal choice, stressing that no one should impose their views on others.