After Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, L&T chairman SN Subrahmanyam has gone viral on social media for his suggestion that employees should work 90 hours a week. His suggestion came during an employee interaction where he was asked why L&T still works its employees on Saturdays.
In reply, he said that he regretted that the employees could not work on Sunday as well.
“I'm sorry I can't make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sunday, I will be even happier because I am working on Sunday,” Subrahmanyan was heard saying in an undated video.
He further questioned the employees about what they were doing when they were at home. “What are you doing sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife?” asked the chairman. He added: “Come, go to the office and work.”
To further prove his point, Subramaniam cited his interaction with a Chinese man who claimed that China could defeat the USA.
According to this person, Chinese people work 90 hours a week while Americans only work 50 hours a week. “So that's the answer for you. If you want to be on top of the world.. you have to work 90 hours a week. Go, guys. Come forward.”
Needless to say, social media users were furious about achieving such a work-life balance. Subramaniam's comments led to him being compared to Narayana Murthy.
Not only this, users noted that the L&T chairman would never say such a thing regarding employees working in geographies other than India.
“Here I think L&T is a good company, everyone seems to be following Narayana Murthy's footsteps,” commented a user. A second user said: “I was at this town hall yesterday. *** I have to work 90 hours a week. Next Narayan Murthy!!!”
“So unfortunate, we have such business leaders. I think they should be called “leaders in baby diapers”. I had some close friends who worked in L&T Madras. About 10 years ago. What they said about work culture By the way, I felt like it was like an adult's kindergarten (sic),” a third user commented.
Another user commented: “The problem is that India has the worst conditions in implementing proper labor laws and whatnot. None of these “business leaders” would be able to say such things even in a capitalist nation. USA and GET OUT OF IT!!!”
One social media user jokingly asked: “How long can you stare at your wife?” Girl, what am I looking at someone else's wife? A user commented: “70 se 90 ghante hogya ab. Bas ab 120 ghante bolna hi bacha hai (sic)”
Another user said: “This is why the craze for government jobs is at its peak in India. The private sector is only good at harassing employees.”
The Infosys co-founder advocated a 70-hour work week for India's youth. In his words, the youth should understand that “we have to work hard and work to make India number one.”