Harsh Goenka reacts to L&T chairman's 90-hour workweek remark: 'Why not rename Sunday to...'

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan's comments advocating a 90-hour workweek and expressing regret over not making employees work on Sundays have ignited a heated debate about work-life balance in India. His remarks, made during an internal meeting, quickly drew criticism from various people.

“What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wives stare at their husbands? Get to the office and start working,” Subrahmanyan said in a video, addressing L&T’s six-day workweek.

Responding sharply, RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka took to X (formerly Twitter) to critique the statement. “90 hours a week? Why not rename Sunday to ‘Sun-duty’ and make ‘day off’ a mythical concept!” he wrote. Highlighting the importance of work-life balance, Goenka added, “Turning life into a perpetual office shift is a recipe for burnout, not success. Work smart, not slave.”

Subrahmanyan's remarks faced backlash not only from corporate professionals but also from celebrities. Deepika Padukone, among others, criticised the unhealthy work culture promoted by such views.

In an attempt to address the growing outrage, L&T issued a statement, contextualising the chairman’s comments as a call for extraordinary effort in India's journey towards becoming a developed nation. “The Chairman's remarks reflect a larger ambition,” the company said.

However, the clarification only added fuel to the fire, with critics arguing it dismissed concerns about employee well-being. Padukone responded to the statement, saying, “And they just made it worse.”

The incident has reignited discussions about corporate culture, employee rights, and the fine line between dedication and exploitation.