'Nation-building is at the core of our mandate': L&T backs chairman's 90-hour workweek remarks

During the interaction, SN Subrahmanyan expressed regret over not being able to implement a seven-day workweek at the company.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has come under fire after its Chairman, SN Subrahmanyan, advocated for employees to work 90 hours a week, including Sundays. The remarks, made during an internal interaction, sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many questioning the feasibility and ethics of such expectations in today’s corporate environment.

In response, L&T defended its chairman’s comments, framing them as part of a broader vision for nation-building and the extraordinary effort required to achieve ambitious goals. “For over eight decades, we have been shaping India’s infrastructure, industries, and technological capabilities,” said an L&T spokesperson to Moneycontrol.com. “We believe this is India’s decade, demanding collective dedication to drive progress and realise our shared vision of becoming a developed nation. The chairman’s remarks reflect this larger ambition.”

During the interaction, Subrahmanyan expressed regret over not being able to implement a seven-day workweek at the company. “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,” he stated.

He also made a contentious remark about employees’ time off, saying, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can your wife stare at you? Get to the office and start working.”

Subrahmanyan further justified his stance by citing a conversation with a Chinese professional. According to him, the individual highlighted the difference in work ethic between China and the United States, claiming that Chinese workers clocked 90 hours a week, compared to 50 hours in the US. Subrahmanyan remarked, “If you have got to be on top of the world, you have to work 90 hours a week. Get going, guys.”

The video of Subrahmanyan’s remarks, which surfaced on Reddit, ignited a social media storm. Users criticised the comments for being dismissive of work-life balance and compared them to recent statements by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, who suggested young Indians should work 70 hours a week to contribute to the nation’s progress. Both sets of remarks have faced backlash for promoting what many see as unsustainable and unhealthy work expectations.

Prominent voices also joined the debate. Harsh Goenka, Chairman of the RPG Group, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his disapproval. “90 hours a week? Why not rename Sunday to ‘Sun-duty’? Turning life into a perpetual office shift is a recipe for burnout, not success. Work-life balance isn’t optional, it’s essential. #WorkSmartNotSlave,” he wrote.

L&T maintained that the chairman’s remarks were aimed at encouraging dedication and aligning with the company’s mission of contributing to India’s growth. “We remain committed to fostering a culture where passion, purpose, and performance drive us forward,” the company stated.