At a time when the 70-hour workweek debate has created a divide like no other in the India Inc paradigm, another sharp and possibly ‘inflammatory’ opinion, from the head of another major Indian corporation has emerged.
S. N. Subrahmanyan, the chairman of the board of directors of Larsen & Toubro Infotech, one of the biggest companies in the country has wants to make his employees to give their services even Sunday.
In a leaked footage from an in-house company meeting/conference shared his thoughts on his employees and their working patterns.
While answering a question on why L&T, despite being a major force in the country, makes its employees work on Saturday, a weekly off in many companies, an almost dismayed S.N. Subrahmanyan said that he regrets that he cannot make his employees work on Sundays.
He further went onto add, in what was perhaps on a jocular note, how long will an employee look at their wife’s face on Sundays or vice-versa. Instead, they should just come to work Sundays.
90-Hour Work-Week
In addition, according to reports, he also made some other abstrsue statements.
He claimed Americans work only 50 hours a week, whereas Chinese people work 90 hours.” By drawing a comparison, Mr. Subrahmanyan urged L&T staff members to adhere to a comparable work schedule.
A 90-hour workweek would mean at least 15 hours of work in a day.
These comments come at a time when the debate on work-life balance has resulted in greater awareness among many, who have asked for considerate and accommodating approach.
Just polices could wear employees out, pulverising the morale and affecting the productivity of the said employees and the company at large.
Will there a better understanding that will be derived in the topic work-life balance and employment at large, is something that remains to be seen.
