Defending the Chairman's Vision

In a recent LinkedIn post, Sonica Muraleedharan, the HR head at Larsen & Toubro (L&T), addressed the controversy surrounding Chairman S N Subrahmanyan's remarks about a 90-hour work week. Muraleedharan emphasized that the comments were taken out of context and were not intended to enforce such demanding hours.

Understanding the Context

Subrahmanyan's remarks, initially made during an internal address, sparked a wave of online criticism. However, Muraleedharan, who was present at the address, clarified that the chairman's intention was not to mandate a 90-hour work week but to inspire employees towards excellence and dedication.

A Broader Debate on Work Hours

The controversy has reignited discussions on work-life balance in India, especially following similar comments by Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy. Subrahmanyan's comparison with work cultures in China and the US was aimed at highlighting the competitive global landscape, not at setting unrealistic work expectations.

Leadership and Inspiration

Muraleedharan praised Subrahmanyan's leadership style, noting his commitment to employee growth and innovation. She called for a deeper understanding of his remarks, urging the public to recognize the positive intentions behind his words rather than focusing solely on the controversy.