Work-Life Balance Debate Erupts Over L&T Chairman's 90-Hour Workweek Suggestion

70
2
Work-Life Balance Debate Erupts Over L&T Chairman's 90-Hour Workweek Suggestion

Work-Life Balance Debate Erupts After L&T Chairman's 90-Hour Workweek Suggestion

The Indian business world is abuzz with the ongoing debate about work-life balance, sparked by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman SN Subrahmanyan's controversial suggestion that employees should work 90 hours a week.

In a video that went viral on social media, Subrahmanyan was asked why L&T employees still had to work on Saturdays. He responded by saying he regretted not being able to make them work on Sundays as well. He further remarked, "What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife?"

His comments drew immediate criticism from industry leaders and social media users alike. Many pointed out the detrimental effects of such long working hours on employee well-being and productivity.

Anand Mahindra, chairman of the Mahindra Group, responded by saying, "I want to tell people that I am on X on social media not because I am lonely. My wife is wonderful; I love staring at her. So, I am not here to make friends." He emphasized the importance of holistic thinking and spending time with family and friends for making sound decisions.

Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj argued that the quality of work matters more than the number of hours logged in. He also highlighted the inefficiencies in organizations that often lead to bottlenecks at the top.

Marico founder and chairman Harsh Mariwala disagreed with Subrahmanyan's suggestion, stating that he had never worked such long hours himself. He emphasized the importance of quality work over quantity and cautioned against pushing employees at lower levels to work beyond their scheduled shifts.

Former HCL CEO Vineet Nayar criticized the glorification of long working hours, emphasizing the toll it takes on energy, creativity, and purpose. He advocated for a flexible approach where individuals can choose to work more or less depending on their needs and preferences.

Other prominent figures like Adar Poonawalla, Anupam Mittal, and Namita Thapar also weighed in on the debate, highlighting the importance of personal time and work-life balance for overall well-being and productivity.

The debate sparked by Subrahmanyan's remarks has brought the issue of work-life balance to the forefront of discussions in India's corporate world. It remains to be seen how companies will respond to this growing concern and whether they will adopt more flexible and employee-centric approaches to work.