NEW DELHI: Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) HR head Sonica Muraleedharan defended chairman S N Subrahmanyan’s current remarks advocating for a 90-hour work week, which sparked on-line outrage.
In a LinkedIn put up, Muraleedharan clarified that Subrahmanyan’s remark was misinterpreted and that the intention behind it was to not mandate such excessive working hours.
Muraleedharan, who was current through the inside deal with, wrote, “Having been present during the internal address, I can confidently state that SNS never implied or mandated 90-hour work weeks. His remarks were casual in nature and have been misinterpreted, fuelling a controversy that doesn’t reflect his true intentions.”
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Subrahmanyan’s remarks, which had been recorded in a circulating video, initially triggered criticism after he prompt that workers ought to contemplate working 90 hours per week, together with giving up Sundays. His assertion, “How long can you stare at your wife?” was extensively condemned as insensitive and disconnected from work-life stability realities.
Also learn: Shark Tank India 4’s Anupam Mittal takes a jibe at L&T Chief’s ‘stare at your spouse’ remark
The controversy reignited a broader debate on work hours in India, notably after Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy beforehand supported a 70-hour work week. Subrahmanyan, in his deal with, justified his stance by citing a dialog with a Chinese skilled who claimed that working 90 hours per week might assist surpass the US, the place the typical work week is round 50 hours. He added, “Chinese people work 90 hours a week, while Americans work only 50 hours a week. If you have got to be on top of the world, you have to work 90 hours a week.”
Muraleedharan continued to assist Subrahmanyan’s management, saying, “With nearly five years in this organization and numerous addresses from SNS under my belt, I can personally vouch for his leadership style. He treats every employee as part of an extended family, fostering a sense of unity and belonging that’s rare in today’s corporate world.” She additional highlighted Subrahmanyan’s dedication to each private {and professional} progress, asserting that he persistently inspired innovation and ability growth amongst workers.
She concluded, “It’s crucial to take a step back and fully understand the context and intent behind his words before rushing to judgement. Leaders like SNS inspire positive change and growth, and it’s vital to recognize their efforts rather than misinterpret them.”
