 chairman SN Subrahmanyan's suggestion that employees work up to 90 hours a week. has sparked outrage on social media.){kind=link}
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s suggestion that employees work up to 90 hours a week, including Sundays, has sparked outrage on social media.
The comment, made during an employee interaction, was shared on Reddit and quickly went viral, with many users creating memes and jokes ridiculing the extreme work demands.
Cavilers are slamming Subrahmanyam’s comments, pointing out the insanity of expecting employees to put in such long hours. Others are highlighting the risky comparing India’s work culture to other countries and expressing concern about the toxic culture of overwork in corporate India.
Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) HR Head, Sonica Muraleedharan, has stepped into the fray to defend Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, whose remarks on a 90-hour workweek sparked widespread outrage. In a detailed LinkedIn post, Muraleedharan expressed disappointment over how Subrahmanyan’s words were taken out of context, leading to unnecessary backlash ¹.
According to Muraleedharan, Subrahmanyan never suggested or mandated a 90-hour workweek during an internal discussion. Instead, his comments were casual and not intended to impose any directive. She emphasized that the controversy surrounding his remarks fails to capture the true essence of his leadership style, which prioritizes employee well-being and empowerment.
Muraleedharan praised Subrahmanyan’s leadership, highlighting his commitment to fostering a nurturing environment that encourages innovation, skill development, and growth. She also noted that he takes the time to connect with employees, ensuring their voices are heard .
The HR head’s defense of Subrahmanyan comes amid a heated debate on work-life balance and the demands of modern workplaces. While some have criticized Subrahmanyan’s remarks as tone-deaf, others have defended his comments as a call to dedication and hard work.
How Anand Mahindra to Anupam Mittal, Adar Poonawalla reacted,
Anand Mahindra said, “On interview,” focus on quality of work, not quantity of work. What output are you doing in 10 hours? You can change the world in 10 hours.” I am on X, not because i am lonely Anand Mahindra said, “My wife is wonderful; I love staring at her.
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Co-Founder & CEO of bigbasket.com Hari Menon
Amul post on X
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Entertaining comments and hilarious reactions on social media followed this comment. Participating in the meme fest on social media, one user said” finally its Sun day not stare at wife
X user Reaction
Is it legal to force workers to pull 90 hours a week for months with no days off?
Indian labor laws, such as the Factories Act of 1948, aim to protect workers’ rights by regulating working hours and making certain fair conditions. The Factories Act provides that employees should work no more than 48 hours a week, with daily limits of nine hours. The law also mandates relaxed meantime and paid annual leave for workers who have completed 240 days of service
The Dark Side of Overwork: India’s Silent Killer
The Dark Side of Overwork: India’s Silent Killer
A staggering 745,000 deaths worldwide are linked to long working hours every year, according to a joint study by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). In India, the toll is alarming, with cases like the tragic death of a 26-year-old EY employee in 2023, reportedly due to work pressure, exposing the toxic consequences of overwork.
But burnout doesn’t just claim lives; it also devastates organizations and the economy. Research reveals that productivity plummets after 50 hours of work per week, with minimal output beyond 55 hours, according to a Stanford University study.
India’s IT sector, notorious for its grueling work culture, is feeling the heat. Attrition rates skyrocketed to 25-30% in 2023, with NASSCOM reporting record-high employee turnover.
The numbers are stark, and the message is clear: India’s culture of overwork is unsustainable. It’s time for policymakers, corporate leaders, and individuals to take a hard look at the true cost of burnout and prioritize wellness, productivity, and life itself.
India has earned the dubious distinction of being the second most overworked country in the world.
A staggering 51% of employed Indians work for 49 hours or more, far exceeding the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) recommended 48-hour workweek. The consequences are dire. Indians are experiencing record-high burnout, with 59% reporting symptoms like overthinking, palpitations, body aches, and gastric issues. A McKinsey Health Institute survey found that India has the highest rates of workplace exhaustion, with 62% of respondents feeling drained Pune employee Anna Perayil’s death was due to work stress.
Talented and creative, with experience in writing, Hina covers a wide range of topics, including social issues, politics, and lifestyle. Her insightful articles and engaging storytelling have captivated readers. She is proficient in English, Hindi, Spanish, Gujarati, and Urdu. A winner of the Best Content Writer award in 2020, Hina is multifaceted, with a keen interest in research and investigation journalism.
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