NEW DELHI: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Head, HR, Sonica Muraleedharan took to LinkedIn to defend Chairman SN Subrahmanyan over his remarks about wanting employees to work for 90 hours a week.
His statement had invoked a massive debate across the country.
In her detailed post, Sonica Muraleedharan expressed disappointment over how Subrahmanyan’s words had been taken out of context and misinterpreted as she said that the comments were made during an internal discussion but the company’s never mandated or even suggested a 90-hour work week.
The comments were casual in nature and not intended to impose any such directive, she said, “SNS is, without question, a leader who genuinely cares for his team’s well-being. He consistently demonstrates an exceptional ability to balance his demanding professional commitments while creating a nurturing and empowering environment for his team. Working under his leadership has been more than just a job – it has been a transformative experience, akin to participating in a living masterclass on leadership, where every interaction imparts valuable life lessons.”
“Leaders like SNS inspire positive change and growth, and it’s vital to recognise their efforts rather than misinterpret them. Instead of focusing on controversy, let’s celebrate and support leaders who empower, motivate, and elevate their teams, leaving a lasting, positive impact on the organisation as a whole.”
The controversy began when a video of Subrahmanyan’s remarks during an internal discussion went viral on social media platforms. In the video, Subrahmanyan mentioned his regret at not being able to make employees work on Sundays as he said that staff would need to work 90 hours a week if they wanted to be on top of the world. In response to the backlash, a spokesperson for L&T clarified that the chairman’s remarks reflected the company’s broader vision for progress. Earlier, Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, faced criticism after stating that Indians should work 70 hours a week to drive national progress.