S.N. Subrahmanyan, Chairman of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), has sparked widespread criticism after suggesting a 90-hour workweek and advocating Sunday work. In a viral video, he dismissed the significance of personal time, questioning why one would “stare at their spouse” instead of working. Subrahmanyan also compared Indian professionals unfavourably to their Chinese counterparts, claiming Chinese workers clock 90 hours a week, while Americans work 50 hours. He suggested such dedication was essential for India's global competitiveness.

Condemnation over mental health concerns
The remarks have drawn sharp condemnation, with critics labelling them insensitive and harmful to employee mental health and well-being. Comparisons have been drawn to Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy’s recent controversial advocacy of a 70-hour workweek for young professionals. Both statements have reignited debates about unhealthy workplace expectations in India.

Global parallels on workplace ethics
The controversy aligns with a broader discussion on workplace sustainability. Recently, San Francisco-based AI startup Greptile’s CEO, Daksh Gupta, faced backlash for enforcing 84-hour workweeks and weekend shifts. While Gupta, an Indian origin person, defended this as a temporary measure during the company's growth phase, critics accused him of exploiting workers and disregarding their mental health.