Her reaction underscores growing concerns about work-life balance in India, especially after Subrahmanyan’s controversial remarks questioning the importance of spending time at home. The widespread backlash to his comments has ignited a broader conversation about employee well-being and workplace expectations.
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan sparked major criticism after advocating for a 90-hour workweek, including working on Sundays. His contentious statements, made during an internal meeting, quickly went viral on social media.
In the video, Subrahmanyan lamented his inability to make employees work on Sundays, stating, “If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays also.” He further questioned the value of time spent at home, asking, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife?” His comments have been widely condemned as dismissive of work-life balance and personal well-being.
Defending his position, Subrahmanyan shared an anecdote about a conversation with a Chinese counterpart, who noted that Chinese workers often clock 90-hour workweeks compared to 50-hour workweeks in the United States. He asserted, “If you have got to be on top of the world, you have to work 90 hours a week,” implying that extreme dedication is essential for success.
The backlash was swift. Bollywood star Deepika Padukone openly criticized Subrahmanyan’s comments, drawing attention to the risks of burnout and the importance of mental health. She cautioned that such expectations could severely impact personal lives and emotional well-being.
Public support for Padukone’s stance has been overwhelming, particularly among mental health advocates and proponents of work-life balance. In an Instagram story, she wrote, “It’s shocking to see people in high positions say such things. #MentalHealthMatters,” highlighting the harmful impact these ideas can have on workers’ mental health.
Her statement gained significant traction, with many agreeing that excessive work hours lead to employee harm. Prominent figures like Harsh Goenka of RPG Group also weighed in. Goenka sarcastically remarked, “90 hours a week? Why not rename Sunday to ‘Sun-duty’ and make ‘day off’ just a joke!”
In response, an L&T spokesperson defended Subrahmanyan’s comments, saying, “At L&T, nation-building is central to our mission. The chairman’s remarks reflect this vision, emphasizing that extraordinary results require extraordinary effort.”
