The recent endorsement by Larsen and Toubro CMD S.N. Subrahmanyan of a 90-hour workweek and the suggestion that employees should work on Sundays is a blatant disregard for established labor practices and norms. His misogynistic remarks questioning how long spouses can stare at each other on Sundays, implying it would be more “productive” to work instead, have sparked outrage. This backlash pits the younger Gen Z workforce against the outdated and insensitive mindset of some senior leaders in corporate India.
A few months ago, Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy provoked a similar debate by advocating a 70-hour workweek, drawing comparisons to economic giants like China and Japan. Subrahmanyan has echoed this Chinese analogy, but the public response has been clear: these suggestions are tone-deaf and out of touch with the realities of the modern workforce.

Indians Already Work Excessively Long Hours
Indians are among the most overworked populations globally, particularly in the private sector, where employees toil for long hours in highly competitive environments. Whether in the working or middle class, many Indians are compelled to double their efforts just to maintain a basic standard of living. Sundays, for many, are the only opportunity to handle household chores, address family needs, and find a sliver of downtime.
The comments from corporate leaders like Subrahmanyan reveal an alarming disconnect from the daily struggles of the average Indian family, particularly dual-income households, where both partners juggle professional and domestic responsibilities. These leaders, insulated by privilege and surrounded by staff to handle their personal needs, fail to grasp the toll of constant overwork on the majority of the workforce.
The Health Consequences of Overwork
Stress, burnout, and exhaustion are becoming endemic among Indian workers, leading to a surge in cardiovascular diseases and other health problems, even among individuals under 40. Mental health concerns are escalating, and younger generations are increasingly vocal about the necessity of a healthy work-life balance. Globally, companies are moving in the opposite direction, embracing reduced working hours and even trialing four-day workweeks to improve productivity and employee well-being.
India, however, continues to enforce six-day workweeks in many industries, leaving little room for personal recovery. Calls for extending work hours are not just unrealistic—they are harmful, ignoring the profound implications for physical and mental health in a country already stretched thin.
Memes and Mockery: The Gen Z Response
If there’s a silver lining, it’s the creative and critical backlash on social media. Young people, particularly Gen Z, have responded to these tone-deaf proposals with a wave of memes, satire, and jokes, refusing to take such statements seriously. Their irreverence toward authority figures offering outdated and unfeasible advice is a refreshing shift in workplace dynamics.
A Call for Change
The controversy highlights the urgent need for corporate India to recalibrate its understanding of productivity, well-being, and sustainable work practices. Leaders must recognize that burnout is not a badge of honor and that long-term success comes from investing in the holistic health of employees. Policies that prioritize mental health, encourage work-life balance, and adapt to the changing aspirations of younger generations are not luxuries—they are necessities for a thriving workforce in the 21st century.
It’s time for India Inc. to step out of its ivory towers and acknowledge the realities of the people who form its backbone. Instead of pushing for more hours at work, it would be wiser to advocate for smarter, healthier ways to foster productivity and innovation.

Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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