Yes, you’ve heard that right! Why are we not working on Sundays? Well, we are not asking this. But L&T’s S.N. Subrahmanyan is asking this question from all his employees. Ever since this news broke, it has exploded all over the internet. The term ‘Corporate Slave’ never felt so appropriate for us all. Since morning, the internet has been buzzing with statements about needing to work 70, 80, or even 90-hour workweeks. Should we all play pretend that work-life balance will be a possibility in the future? With our OGs spilling their opinions like this, it’s hard to imagine the possibility of work-life balance. We are talking about the recent statements from business titans like Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan, advocating for 70- to 90-hour workweeks, has ignited a fiery debate that cuts to the very core of our relationship with work.
While Murthy advocated India’s need for heightened productivity, and Subrahmanyan reportedly embraces the grind which means longer hours in your work schedule. They both believe in years old philosophy ‘more is better’. In an era where many are experimenting with four-day workweeks, and putting emphasis on work-life balance, what these leaders said is completely contrary.
Who Said What?
Earlier, we’ve got Infosys’ Narayana Murthy recalling his good old days of 70-hour weeks, and now there is an old video clip has been circulating on Reddit about L&T’s S.N. Subrahmanyan who took a step ahead of Mr. Murthy and advocated for 90-hour work weeks. Don’t know what it means to you? Let us simplify it for you! This means no more ‘Sunday sleep’ for you or not even fun times with your family. But people aren’t quite happy with Mr. Subrahmanyan’s view who earns enormous amount of 51 crores a year (that’s 535 times more than his average employee, by the way), is telling us that we all need to be clocking 90-hour weeks. And some of us are barely surviving on their salaries.
This tells such an imagination or alternate reality where humans don’t need sleep, food, or a life outside of the office. It’s enough to make you question if we’re all collectively being gaslit by the corporate elite. Are you feeling sad already? Wait, there’s more.
Productivity or Human Society?
The debate is on! And this debate over work hours is not just about productivity; it’s about our values and priorities as a society.
- Are we willing to prioritize growth at the expense of well-being and work-life balance?
- Or can we come up with more balanced strategy that puts human condition as priority not just economic success?
It requires a shift from the outdated mentality that more work automatically leads to better results. Instead, we need to prioritize work that is both effective and sustainable, both for our businesses and our lives.
More Work = More Success?
The debate for increased work hours often adds a sense of national responsibility, the need for heightened productivity to fuel economic growth. Simply means a ‘hustle’ culture that highlights ambition and output.
- The statement of Mr. Murthy and Mr. Subrahmanyan quote global competition and the need to push boundaries to achieve success.
- But the studies show that overwork can cause burnout,decreased cognitive function, lower morale, and ultimately, less efficiency.
- The human body and mind simply aren’t designed to operate like machines for such extended periods. Even machines tend to give up.
Beyond productivity, the broader question is this: at what cost do we pursue growth and success? Are we sacrificing our personal well-being, our relationships, and our mental health in the pursuit of ambition and work?
Recent Voices According to Countries:
Here’s a comparison chart for the countries that recently raised their voices about a better work-life balance. And India has the highest working hours among these countries.
| Country | Current Average Weekly Work Hours | Expectations As Per Leaders |
| India | 48 | 80-90 hours week by notable leaders, High expectations from Start-ups & Tech sector |
| China | 46 | Demanding and in favour of work-life balance especially in tech sectors |
| South Korea | 38.5 | Working on improving work-life balance |
| United Kingdom | 36.5 | Incorporates for better mental health and flexible working hours |
| Japan | 36.4 | Aiming to reduce work hours |
| U.S.A. | 34.4 | Some voice for longer work hours while others for work-life balance and productivity |
| Germany | 34.1 | Strong labour laws-limiting long working hours, working to improve WLB |
| France | 32.1 | Law permits 35 hours/week, Family time matters! |
While we are raising our voices towards a better work-life balance, these statements by famous business titans surely disheartened all the people who are incorporating a better human aspect and condition.
The Productivity or Hypocrisy?
These opinions of top elites are raising questions about us. Are we not productive enough? Or it’s not just about productivity though, is it? Some people are raising their voices on social media that it’s about the hypocrisy of it all. These leaders, who are already at the top of the food chain, with millions in the bank and staff to do their bidding, are telling us to sacrifice our lives for their corporate ambitions. The very people who can afford the time and the resources to live a balanced life are the ones asking us to give it all up.
The L&T chairman’s salary is a staggering 535 times more than the average employee! So, are we supposed to believe that he feels the impact of a 90-hour work week the same way a regular employee does? Or is this simply another attempt at normalizing an unjust system where the few at the top rake in all the gains while the rest of us are left with burnout and exhaustion?
The Matthew Effect & Economic Difference:
First of all, let us consider the economic disparities at play. It’s no coincidence and a fact that many of these calls for increased work hours come from the very top of the corporate ladder. These leaders may not be experiencing the same pressures and challenges faced by their employees. If we look at the figures, Mr. S.N. Subrahmanyan earns a staggering 535 times more than the average L&T employee. The question then becomes. Are we witnessing a power dynamic where the sacrifices are made by those at the bottom, while the rewards are reaped by those at the top? It’s the same Matthew Effect, which means the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Is it fair to expect individuals to sacrifice their lives for corporate ambitions while those in leadership positions continue to accumulate massive wealth?
The calls for 90-hour workweeks may be a stark reminder of the old ways of doing things, and it may be time for us to chart a new course where productivity and well-being aren’t mutually exclusive. It’s an ideological fight between OG and Gen Z too. Old is gold. Let us ask again, really?
Written by Manisha Singh
