"How long can you stare at your wife...": L&T's Subrahmanyan on how policy violation by someone made him, his wife uncomfortable
S N Subrahmanyan
has finally broken his silence over his hugely controversial remark about employees working on Sundays, clarified that it was a casual observation in response to certain problems that had cropped up.
It may be recalled here that in January this year, the L&T chief had touched off a huge row with his observation on
work life balance
, appearing to have endorsed 90-hour work weeks for employees.
Explaining how his wife responded to his viral comment about 'how long can you stare at your wife', Subrahmanyan said "she didn't appreciate being referenced unnecessarily in professional discussion."
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"It was an internal comment addressing operational pressures that someone violated policy by recording and circulating," he said.
"While neither sought apologies, we both felt uncomfortable. My informal communication style sometimes creates unintended consequences," Subrahmanyan added.
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Subrahmanyan, in an interview to the Economic Times, clarified that his response during a conversation was casual, but the recording of that interaction was against rules.
In the video of the said internal meeting that went viral, the L&T Chairman stirred debate by suggesting that employees should consider a 90-hour work week, including working on Sundays. This statement followed a similar controversial call by
Infosys
founder
Narayana Murthy
, who advocated for a 70-hour work week.
In a video that emerged on social media, Subrahmanyan expressed his views while addressing a question about mandatory Saturday work at L&T. He stated, 'I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays, to be honest. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays also.'
'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,' he was heard saying in the video.
His remarks prompted a fierce wave of criticism online, with many questioning the rationale behind such extensive work hours, particularly for lower-paid employees who are expected to match the same commitment as their higher-paid counterparts.
Subrahmanyan's comments resonated negatively with social media users. One user highlighted the disparity in expectations, referencing Murthy's 70-hour work week suggestion and calling Subrahmanyan's stance 'arrogance and ignorance.'
The general sentiment among critics is that the demands placed on lower-tier employees should not mirror those of CEOs, especially given the differences in compensation and job responsibilities.
The incident involving Subrahmanyan raised broader questions about work culture in India, especially in the corporate sector. As companies strive for higher productivity, the implications of such extended work hours on employee well-being and work-life balance become increasingly significant. The backlash against Subrahmanyan's comments highlighted a growing concern regarding workplace expectations.
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