New Delhi:

Swati Bose was ecstatic. After nailing a rigorous interview process, she landed a role in a digital marketing company. The first day was filled with smiles, introductions, and the promise of growth. But what began as a warm welcome quickly devolved into chaos – all it took was five days. Within five days, her optimism was replaced by toxicity at the workplace, tears, and ultimately, resignation. Her mental health took a nosedive, spiralling into depression.

Swati’s story, unfortunately, is far from unique. While she survived, some have suffered worse due to work-related stress.

Anna Sebastian Perayil, an Ernst & Young (EY) employee, allegedly died of stress four months after joining the company last year. Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, wrote to Ernst & Young India Chairman Rajiv Memani and flagged a culture that “seems to glorify overwork while neglecting the very human being behind the role”.

Across industries, employees are battling toxic workplace environments that prioritise profits and performance over mental well-being. The recent remarks by SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman of L&T, have triggered debates about workplace culture and the cost of overworking. In a widely circulated video, Mr Subrahmanyan suggested that employees should work 90 hours per week, including weekends, to stay competitive.

‘Feed The Mule’ 

The notion of a 90-hour workweek, as suggested by Mr Subrahmanyan, harkens back to the coal-mining era when long hours spent inside a hole in the ground and covering both your face and lugs with coal dust were seen as a badge of honour.

“Even if it’s a four-day workweek or a seven-day workweek, 10-plus hours per day is not commendable at all. It is unhealthy, unsustainable, and ultimately counterproductive,” Niharika Rao, a 26-year-old techie, who quit her job at a global firm recently, told NDTV.

Mr Subrahmanyan is not the only industry giant who subscribes to that school of thought. Infosys boss Narayana Murthy, Tesla Chief Elon Musk, Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal and even Ratan Tata at one point or the other have advocated for longer working hours. 

“An average IT guy has a productive attention span of 2 hours out of the designated 8. Making him work 14 hours will reduce it to 1 hour. Making a mule carry a truckload of chickpeas won’t convert it into a horse; feeding it might have a chance,” said Tushar Mohanty, a 28-year-old senior data scientist in Bengaluru.

According to many surveys, an overwhelming number of Indian employees report experiencing workplace stress. A statistic from the Gallup Global Workplace Report 2024 reveals that 86 per cent of Indian employees feel either ‘struggling’ or ‘suffering’ in their roles. 
Data from the ADP Research Institute reveals about 76 per cent of Indian workers report that stress negatively impacts their work performance, while 49 cent cite detrimental effects on their mental health. Globally, 65 cent of employees echo similar sentiments about stress.

A similar study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that nearly one in four Indian employees suffer from work-related stress.

“There are countries that work fewer hours but achieve better results because their employees are well-rested. When employees are healthier, both cognitively and physically, their productivity increases. Corporates have no choice but to reshape their policies as younger generations demand better work-life balance,” said Shreya Kaul, a mental health counsellor, told NDTV.

Research consistently debunks the myth that longer hours lead to higher productivity. In fact, overwork often results in burnout, reduced efficiency, and a host of physical and mental health issues.

“Productivity comes from motivation and interest in the work, not from sheer hours spent. Each individual has unique drivers, and forcing long hours on them often strips away that zeal,” Ms Rao said.

“In every workplace I have been in, there has been some form of toxicity-whether sexism, favouritism, or other issues. It becomes a bigger problem when toxic behaviour comes from senior management,” she added.

Generational Divide 

Ms Rao recounted how certain senior leaders fostered an environment of fear and favouritism, making it difficult for employees to perform without anxiety. When asked if her former workplace provided adequate support for mental health challenges, she said: “No, not at all. Many companies might offer a monthly mental well-being day off, but it’s mostly performative. Genuine awareness and support for mental health are sorely lacking.”

“In client environments, stakeholders and senior leadership treat you as cattle fodder. Humans are dispensable resources for them – make them work on weekends, public holidays, extended hours but bill them for only 8. In the end, they keep all the profits. Verbal abuse in group meetings has become normalised,” Mr Mohanty said.

Ms Rao also shed light on age-based discrimination, a subtle but pervasive issue in many workplaces.

“It’s often passive-aggressive. Older colleagues sometimes make dismissive comments, like, ‘You don’t know enough because you haven’t been around as long as we have.’ They disregard my opinions and undervalue my contributions,” she explained.

The generational divide often becomes even more pronounced during interactions with senior colleagues. According to many young workers,  senior leaders’ resistance to new ideas often stifles innovation and collaboration.

“The age gap often plays a role. Colleagues who are closer to my age are more open to new ideas, but those 10-15 years older tend to be dismissive. It’s especially challenging when these individuals are in senior management roles,” Ms Rao said.

Millennials and Gen Z, who now form a major portion of the workforce, prioritise work-life balance and mental well-being over the traditional “hustle culture.”

“The older generations were taught that hard work equates to success,” Ms Kaul explained. “This cultural mindset glorifies overwork -‘jitna ghisengey utna better lagega logon ko’ (the more you grind, the better you’ll be perceived). But younger generations are challenging this narrative, advocating for balance and mental health.”

Ms Rao recounted a recent incident where her efforts to foster a healthy work-life balance for her team clashed with her senior manager’s expectations.

“My senior staff wanted me to adopt toxic behaviours towards my team, like micromanaging and overloading them with work. When I refused, I was threatened with replacement. I was even told my appraisal and promotion could be affected. Feedback is now a minefield I’d rather avoid,” she said.

Gen Z professionals often feel immense pressure to prove themselves. This often leads to overwork and, eventually, burnout. Organisations can address this by providing clearer growth paths, mental health support, and flexible work arrangements. Simple measures like team outings and informal interactions can also help younger employees decompress.

“Companies should regularly check in on employees, not just about work but about how we’re feeling mentally. Providing access to counselling services and creating a supportive environment where employees can openly discuss stress would help immensely,” Noopur Goyal, a 24-year-old Public Relations official.

Stress, Then Guilt

Managing stress in such a hostile environment is a tall task. Some face guilt for taking time off while some feel taking vacations or personal time off would send the wrong message to bosses who they think would perceive them as “unprofessional”.

“I have found solace in forming small support groups with colleagues who share similar struggles. We vent, share our experiences, and leave office trauma behind before heading home. It’s been incredibly therapeutic,” Ms Rao said. “It feels like a crime to ask for leave because there’s no one to take on my responsibilities. My team often bears the brunt of my absence, which only adds to my guilt.”

India is a country of over 1.4 billion. Unemployment coupled with a lack of opportunities means no one is indispensable. Resign and there are thousands if not lakhs to replace you in a second. 

“India, as a country and culture, has generally always been very end result-oriented. We tend to prioritise results over the process. This consequence-driven mindset often leads to many misassumptions,” explained Ms Kaul.

The lack of safety measures and inadequate handling of harassment complaints are often recurring themes in employees’ lives. 

“Every office has someone whose behaviour makes you feel like you’re on the verge of resigning or losing your job. It’s exhausting and deeply unsettling. My first company had some measures in place, but most others have been woefully inadequate,” Ms Rao said. 

Despite companies scheduling countless workplace sensitisation or Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) training sessions, the question still remains: Are we doing enough? 

(Names of workers have been changed to protect their identities)

New Delhi:

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Head HR Sonica Muraleedharan defended Chairman SN Subrahmanyan after his remarks about wanting employees to work for 90 hours a week invoked a massive debate across the country. Amid the ongoing controversy that prompted responses from even celebrities, Ms Muraleedharan said that the chairman’s remarks were “misinterpreted” and taken out of context.

“It’s truly disheartening to see how the words of our MD & Chairman, SN Subrahmanyan (SNS) have been taken out of context, leading to misunderstandings and unnecessary criticism. Having been present during the internal address, I can confidently state that SNS never implied or mandated 90-hour work weeks,” she said in a post on LinkedIn.

According to the HR, Mr Subrahmanyan’s remarks were “casual in nature”.

Vouching for his leadership style, Ms Muraleedharan said, “He treats every employee as part of an extended family, fostering a sense of unity and belonging that’s rare in today’s corporate world”.

“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,” she added.

Ms Muraleedharan further urged people to take a step back and fully understand the context and intent behind the L&T Chairman’s words.

“Leaders like SNS inspire positive change and growth, and it’s vital to recognize 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 organization as a whole,” she said.

Mr Subrahmanyan sparked a huge outrage last week after he suggested employees should work 90 hours a week and even on Sundays to remain competitive.

“How long can you stare at your wife,” Mr Subrahmanyan is heard saying in a purported video address.

When he was asked why L&T required its employees to work on Saturdays, he said, “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays, to be honest. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays also.”

These comments drew sharp responses on social media, including from actor Deepika Padukone who said that it is “shocking to see people 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 also mocked the 90-hour workweek idea.

Social media users also compared Mr Subrahmanyan to Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, who last year called for people to work for 70 hours a week.

File picture of S.N Subrahmanyan, CEO & MD, L&T.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The central trade unions (CTUs) condemned the statement by the chairman and managing director of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Limited S.N. Subrahmanyan that working hours must be extended to 90 hours per week, and asking employees to come to work on Sundays too rather than “staring at their wives” at home. Although L&T later said that the statement by their Chairman reflected a larger ambition for making India a developed nation, it drew flak from various sections of the society, including women’s rights activists.

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) said Mr. Subrahmanyan’s statement was similar to the “satanic statement” earlier made by the Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy, urging an increase in working hours to 70 hours per week through statutory measures. “It seems that there is a rogue competition among the corporate messiahs to rinse the blood and sweat of Indian workers and they are in active connivance and collaboration with the corporate-communal regime in governance by Modi-led NDA [National Democratic Alliance],” CITU general secretary Tapan Sen said in a statement.

Mr. Sen said Indian workers, even permanent employees in the formal sector, were deployed for much longer hours of work compared with more productive countries, including China, Europe and even the U.S. “The stretching of working hours is very disastrously impacting upon the health and social life of Indian workers,” Mr. Sen said.

Former general secretary of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and head of the labour studies think tank Dattopant Thengade Foundation Virjesh Upadhyay said the statement was highly condemnable and raised serious concerns on workers’ welfare and work-life balance. “Advocating such a policy contradicts the principles of quality of life and human dignity that are fundamental to a progressive society. Furthermore, it is concerning that an individual drawing a salary 500 times more than a company’s average employee would propose measures that disproportionately burden the workforce. Such disparity in income and privilege should compel greater responsibility toward ensuring equitable and humane working conditions, not the opposite,” Mr. Upadhyay said.

Condemning the statement, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) general secretary Amarjeet Kaur said India needed all the work hours it could generate. “But then what about the raging unemployment? There is youthful energy going waste! Unemployment is reaching highest [levels] as per latest surveys — Subramanyans and Murthys do not have anything to say on that score. And whatever wealth is created by the present workforce, at 48 hours a week, there are leeches like Adanis, Ambanis and Choksis and Nirav Modis, and a host of corporates syphoning off the wealth created. There is an indecent, increasing gap between the rich and the poor in India. It has reached to the level of what was there 80 years ago,” Ms. Kaur said.

The All India Working Women’s Forum of the AITUC termed Mr. Subramanyan’s statement patriarchal, scandalous, and condemnable. “This is objectification of women. Mr. Subramanyan dehumanises women by reducing them to be mere spectacles. His statement disrespects women’s autonomy and agency. Mr. Subramanyan should know that wives are not to be adorned and be ‘stared at’. Mr. Subramanyan should know that a woman is an independent entity and her identity is not defined by her relationships,” the Forum’s convenor Vahida Nizam said.

New Delhi:

Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj has weighed in on the 90-hour work-week debate, which was recently triggered by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman SN Subrahmanyan, and suggested that the practice of working for long hours – if at all required to be followed – must start from the top.

“If you want a 90-hour week, start from the top,” Mr Bajaj told CNBC-TV18 on Friday.

“Number of hours of work doesn’t matter, quality of work does. We need a kinder, gentler world more than ever before,” he added.

“The bottleneck is always at the top of the bottle,” Mr Bajaj said as he requested leaders to rethink their strategies, improve decision-making, and empower employees to achieve better outcomes.

His remarks come days after SN Subrahmanyan sparked an online outrage with his comments suggesting employees should work 90 hours a week and even on Sundays to remain competitive.

 “How long can you stare at your wife,” Mr Subrahmanyan is heard saying in a purported video address to employees where he urged them to spend less time at home and more in the office.

Asked why L&T required its employees to work on Saturdays, he said, “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays, to be honest. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays also.”

His comments, however, drew sharp responses on social media, with many users comparing him to Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, who last year also called for Indian youth to work for 70 hours a week.

Mr Bajaj, however, differed and said putting in enough work is important – whether it’s 70 or 90 hours – but the focus should be on the “quality, efficiency, and effectiveness” of those hours.

“That is more critical than the sheer number of hours,” he said.

RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka also joined the debate and said the work-life balance is “essential”.

“90 hours a week? Why not rename Sunday to ‘Sun-duty’ and make ‘day off’ a mythical concept!” he posted on X.

“Working hard and smart is what I believe in, but turning life into a perpetual office shift? That’s a recipe for burnout, not success. Work-life balance isn’t optional, it’s essential. Well, that’s my view! #WorkSmartNotSlave”,” Mr Goenka said.

After facing strong backlash over its Chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s suggestion to employees to work 90 hours a week — including Sundays, the L&T said on Friday that the Chairman’s remarks reflect the larger ambition of nation-building, “emphasising that extraordinary outcomes require extraordinary effort”.

In a video message to employees that went viral on social media, Mr Subrahmanyan said: “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can wives stare at their husbands? Go to the office and start working”.

“Honestly, I am sorry that I am not able to make you work on Sundays. I will be happier if I can make you work on Sundays, because I work on Sundays too,” said the L&T Chairman.

A company spokesperson said in a statement that for over eight decades, “we have been shaping India’s infrastructure, industries, and technological capabilities”.

“We believe this is India’s decade, a time demanding collective dedication and effort to drive progress and realise our shared vision of becoming a developed nation,” said the spokesperson.

“The Chairman’s remarks reflect this larger ambition, emphasising that extraordinary outcomes require extraordinary effort. At L&T, we remain committed to fostering a culture where passion, purpose, and performance drive us forward,” the spokesperson further stated.

In his video message, Mr Subrahmanyan encouraged L&T employees to work harder. He spoke about a conversation he had with a Chinese man who said that China could overtake the US because of its strong work ethic.

According to Mr Subrahmanyan, the Chinese man said, “Chinese people work 90 hours a week, while Americans work only 50 hours a week.”

The video received a backlash from netizens on social media platforms, including online discussion forum Reddit, with many users comparing it to Infosys founder Murthy’s statement about working 70 hours a day.

From Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone to Harsh Goenka, Chairperson of the RPG Group, top celebrities also condemned Mr Subrahmanyan’s remarks.

“90 hours a week? Why not rename Sunday to ‘Sun-duty’ and make ‘day off’ a mythical concept! Working hard and smart is what I believe in, but turning life into a perpetual office shift? That’s a recipe for burnout, not success. Work-life balance isn’t optional, it’s essential. Well, that’s my view! #WorkSmartNotSlave,” Mr Goenka posted on X.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan sparked an online outrage with his comments advocating a 90-hour work week and suggesting that employees should even give up Sundays.

“How long can you stare at your wife,” he is heard saying in a purported video address to employees where he urged them to spend less time at home and more in the office.

His remarks reignited the work-life balance debate, first triggered by Infosys Co-Founder Narayana Murthy’s suggestion of a 70-hour work week.

“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,” Subrahmanyan is heard saying in an undated video circulating on social media.

PODCAST | Listen to The Hindu’s Work-Mind Balance podcast series

“What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wives stare at their husbands? Come on, get to the office and start working,” he further said.

His comments drew criticism on social media with some asking how long could “employees stare at screens and fat*** managers?”

Soon after, L&T issued a clarification saying the chairman’s remarks were in the context of extraordinary efforts required for achieving extraordinary outcomes for the nation.

“We believe this is India’s decade, a time demanding collective dedication and effort to drive progress and realise our shared vision of becoming a developed nation. The chairman’s remarks reflect this larger ambition, emphasising that extraordinary effort,” L&T spokesperson said in a brief statement.

Also Read | Gen Z: breaking the 9 to 5

Stating that nation-building is at the core of L&T’s mandate, it said for over eight decades, the company has been shaping India’s infrastructure, industries, and technological capabilities.

“At L&T, we remain committed to fostering a culture where passion, purpose, and performance drive us forward,” the spokesperson added.

In the video, Sumeet Chatterjee, Chief Communications Officer at L&T, is seen asking the chairman, “Why are L&T employees asked to work on Saturdays despite being a top conglomerate?”

In response, the chairman says, “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays, to be honest. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays also.”

Also Read | EY employee death: Working women get only 7 to 10 hours of rest in a day, data shows

Subrahmanyan went on to share an anecdote. He cited a conversation he had with a Chinese person who said that China could surpass the U.S. because of the country’s strong work ethic.

According to Subrahmanyan, the Chinese person said, “Chinese people work 90 hours a week, while Americans work only 50 hours a week.” Drawing a parallel, Subrahmanyan encouraged L&T employees to follow a similar work regime.

“So that’s the answer for you. If you have got to be on top of the world, you have to work 90 hours a week,” he is heard saying in the video.

The video went viral quickly, attracting some nasty comments as well. “Another CEO promoting slavery shamelessly,” one person commented.

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Some questioned why highly paid CEOs with different job pressures expect the same level of commitment from less-paid employees.

Subrahmanyan’s comments reignited the work-life balance debate that came into limelight in July last year following the death of a 26-year-old EY consultant.

Infosys Co-Founder Murthy, too, had a few months back advocated a 70-hour work week. “India’s work productivity is one of the lowest in the world… my request is that our youngsters must say, ‘this is my country, I want to work 70 hours a week’,” Murthy had said.

Last month, billionaire Gautam Adani had also waded into the work-life balance debate when he said the spouse will leave if one was to spend eight hours with the family.

He had reportedly stated that work-life balance is a matter of personal choice. “Your idea of work-life balance should not be imposed on me and my idea shouldn’t be imposed on you. Say, someone spends 4 hours with family and finds joy in it, or if someone else spends 8 hours and enjoys it, that is their work-life balance.”

“Wife will leave if one spends eight hours with family,” he had said.