L&T Chairman Faces Backlash Over 90-Hour Workweek Remarks
L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan Faces Criticism Over 90-Hour Workweek Remarks Amid Viral Video, Sparking Debate on Work-Life Balance and Employee Compensation Disparity.
Sumit Rawat
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan finds himself at the center of a social media storm following his comments supporting a 90-hour workweek, made amidst the ongoing debate sparked by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy’s suggestion for a 70-hour workweek. Subrahmanyan’s remarks have intensified discussions around work-life balance and corporate expectations.
According to L&T's FY24 annual report, Subrahmanyan received a total compensation of ₹51 crore, including ₹3.6 crore as base salary, ₹1.67 crore in perquisites, ₹35.28 crore in commission, and ₹10.5 crore in retirement benefits. This figure is more than 500 times the average salary of male employees at L&T, which stands at ₹9,77,099, while female employees earn an average of ₹6,76,867 annually.
The controversy escalated after a video surfaced on social media showing Subrahmanyan promoting working Sundays during what appeared to be an internal gathering. In the clip, he remarked, “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 also.” He further commented on domestic life, asking, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wives stare at their husbands? Get to the office and start working.”
The statements have drawn widespread criticism online, with many questioning the expectation for employees with lower salaries to match the chairman’s working hours. Actress Deepika Padukone joined the conversation, sharing the video on her Instagram Stories and expressing disapproval, writing, “Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements.” She also included the hashtag #MentalHealthMatters.
In response to the backlash, L&T issued a statement emphasizing the company’s focus on nation-building and its commitment to fostering a culture of purpose and performance. The statement read, “The Chairman’s remarks reflect a larger ambition, emphasizing that extraordinary outcomes require extraordinary effort.”
Padukone reacted to the company’s response, adding, “And they just made it worse…”
The incident has reignited discussions on workplace culture, employee well-being, and the importance of mental health in corporate India.
