“Disheartening To See How…”: L&T’s Head HR On 90-Hour Work Week Row

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Head HR Sonica Muraleedharan defended Chairman SN Subrahmanyan after his remarks about wanting staff to work for 90 hours every week invoked an enormous debate throughout the nation. Amid the continued controversy that prompted responses from even celebrities, Ms Muraleedharan mentioned that the chairman’s remarks had been “misinterpreted” and brought out of context.

“It is really disheartening to see how the phrases of our MD & Chairman, SN Subrahmanyan (SNS) have been taken out of context, resulting in misunderstandings and pointless criticism. Having been current in the course of the inner tackle, I can confidently state that SNS by no means implied or mandated 90-hour work weeks,” she mentioned in a put up on LinkedIn.

In line with the HR, Mr Subrahmanyan’s remarks had been “informal in nature”.

Vouching for his management fashion, Ms Muraleedharan mentioned, “He treats each worker as a part of an prolonged household, fostering a way of unity and belonging that is uncommon in in the present day’s company world”.

“SNS is, with out query, a pacesetter who genuinely cares for his group’s well-being. He constantly demonstrates an distinctive means to stability his demanding skilled commitments whereas making a nurturing and empowering setting for his group. Working beneath his management has been greater than only a job – it has been a transformative expertise, akin to taking part in a dwelling masterclass on management, the place each interplay imparts helpful life classes,” she added.

Ms Muraleedharan additional urged folks to take a step again and totally perceive the context and intent behind the L&T Chairman’s phrases.

“Leaders like SNS encourage optimistic change and progress, and it is important to acknowledge their efforts quite than misread them. As an alternative of specializing in controversy, let’s rejoice and help leaders who empower, inspire, and elevate their groups, leaving a long-lasting, optimistic influence on the group as a complete,” she mentioned.

Mr Subrahmanyan sparked an enormous outrage final week after he instructed staff ought to work 90 hours every week and even on Sundays to stay aggressive.

“How lengthy are you able to stare at your spouse,” Mr Subrahmanyan is heard saying in a purported video tackle.

When he was requested why L&T required its staff to work on Saturdays, he mentioned, “I remorse I’m not in a position to make you’re employed on Sundays, to be trustworthy. If I could make you’re employed on Sundays, I can be extra completely happy, as a result of I work on Sundays additionally.”

These feedback drew sharp responses on social media, together with from actor Deepika Padukone who mentioned that it’s “stunning to see folks in such senior positions make such statements”. Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla, RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka, and Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra additionally mocked the 90-hour workweek concept.

Social media customers additionally in contrast Mr Subrahmanyan to Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, who final 12 months known as for folks to work for 70 hours every week.