Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan has ignited controversy with his comments advocating a 90-hour workweek, reigniting discussions on work-life balance. His remark, “how long can you stare at your wife,” drew sharp criticism and fueled an online backlash.

Adding to the outrage, Subrahmanyan’s compensation of ₹51.05 crore in 2023-24—534.57 times the median salary of L&T employees—came under scrutiny. While L&T defended its chairman’s statements, several industry leaders expressed their disapproval of the idea of excessively long work hours.

Industry Leaders Speak Out

RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share his dissent. “90 hours a week? Why not rename Sunday to ‘Sun-duty’ and make ‘day off’ a mythical concept!” he quipped. Goenka emphasized the importance of working smart over working long hours, stating, “Work-life balance isn’t optional, it’s essential. #WorkSmartNotSlave.”

Echoing this sentiment, Marico Ltd Chairman Harsh Mariwala stressed the value of quality over quantity in work. “Hard work is essential, but it’s not about the hours clocked. It’s about the passion and purpose behind those hours,” he said. Mariwala also highlighted the need for workplaces to foster growth, trust, and transparency, making work fulfilling and seamlessly integrating work-life balance.

Bajaj Auto MD Rajiv Bajaj criticized the idea as “archaic and regressive,” suggesting that if such a practice is implemented, it should start with top leadership as a proof of concept before being extended to the rest of the organization.

Broader Debate on Work Culture

The controversy follows similar remarks by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, who last year suggested a 70-hour workweek for young professionals—a suggestion supported by Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal.

On the other hand, billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani recently advocated for personalizing work-life balance. “Your idea of work-life balance shouldn’t be imposed on me, and mine shouldn’t be imposed on you,” Adani said. He recommended spending at least four hours with family, emphasizing that the balance should ensure happiness for both the individual and their family.

As opinions remain divided, the debate highlights the ongoing tension between work culture expectations and the need for personal well-being in a fast-paced professional environment.