New Delhi:
In a recent surge of debates over work-life balance, several prominent business leaders have made headlines with their advocacy for significantly longer working hours. The latest comments from SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), have reignited the discussion, particularly in India and globally.
Subrahmanyan’s remarks, captured in a viral video, suggest that employees should work up to 90 hours a week, including Sundays. He questioned the productivity of employees during their free time, saying, “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.” He also expressed a desire to have his employees work on Sundays, aligning with his own work habits.
This stance is not isolated; several other influential business leaders have also endorsed lengthy workweeks. Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy, in October 2023, suggested that young Indians should work 70 hours a week to enhance national productivity. During a podcast by 3one4 Capital, Murthy emphasized the need for hard work to compete globally, stating, “India has the lowest productivity among all economies. Unless we reduce corruption and focus on hard work, we will not be competitive globally.”
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has long been a proponent of intense work schedules. In a 2018 tweet, Musk argued that significant impact cannot be achieved with a standard 40-hour workweek. He suggested that working 80 hours a week is sustainable, with occasional peaks exceeding 100 hours. Musk warned that the “pain level increases exponentially above 80” hours.
Jack Ma, co-founder of Alibaba, has defended China’s “996” work culture, which involves working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. Ma described this schedule as a “huge blessing” for those passionate about their careers, suggesting that dedicated employees would not find it burdensome.
Other leaders, such as Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, have also challenged traditional notions of work-life balance. Aggarwal described two-day weekends as a “Western cultural import” that does not align with Indian traditions. Zepto co-founder Aadit Palicha shared that his team often works between 80 and 100 hours a week, driven by their excitement and commitment to their work.
In contrast, some business leaders have advocated for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka have emphasized the importance of personal commitments and mental health. Namita Thapar, Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, has also stressed that family time and mental well-being should not be compromised for professional success.
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