Mumbai, January 10, 2025 – Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan’s remarks advocating for extended work hours, including Sundays, have sparked widespread debate. During an employee interaction, Subrahmanyan expressed regret over not being able to enforce Sunday work, stating that he works on Sundays himself. These comments drew criticism for disregarding work-life balance, with billionaire Harsh Goenka humorously suggesting renaming Sunday to “Sun-duty” and cautioning against burnout. Athlete Jwala Gutta also criticized the statements, calling them “misogynistic and disappointing.”
In response, L&T defended its chairman, highlighting the necessity of extraordinary efforts to achieve India’s development goals. The company described the remarks as reflecting an ambition to align with India’s growth aspirations, framing this decade as pivotal for national progress. The controversy has reignited discussions about work culture, with concerns over balancing economic productivity with employee well-being and sustainability.
