RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka has responded to the absurd comments made by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan calling for a 90-hour workweek. In a video that has gone viral, Subrahmanyan claimed that he regretted not being able to make people work on Sundays.
Responding to Subrahmanyan's comments, Goenka said perpetual office shifts would only result in burnout and added that, in his view, work-life balance isnĄ¯t optional but essential.
"Working hard and smart is what I believe in, but turning life into a perpetual office shift? ThatĄ¯s a recipe for burnout, not success. Work-life balance isnĄ¯t optional, itĄ¯s essential. Well, thatĄ¯s my view!" he wrote on social media.
Subrahmanyan is the latest in a growing list of top executives in India who have made their desire to make their employees work more hours clear. Many also have rejected the idea of work-life balance and weekend offs for employees, calling them Western concepts.
While the debate around this was initiated by Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy, who advocated for a 70-hour workweek, Subrahmanyan went one step further by claiming that people should work 90 hours a week.
In the viral video, Subrahmanyan said, "I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays."
He also mocked people for spending time with their families, saying, Ą°What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? Come on, get to the office and start working.Ąą
After his comments were widely criticised online, L&T issued a statement defending Subrahmanyan, saying his comments reflect the larger ambition of becoming a developed nation.
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