NEW DELHI, Jan 14: Larsen & Toubro (L&T)’s head of HR for domestic operations- Sonica Muraleedharan- took to LinkedIn to address the controversy sparked by the remarks made by company’s chairman and managing director SN Subrahmanyan (SNS) over suggesting 90-hour week work for its staff.
In her detailed post, Sonica Muraleedharan expressed disappointment over how Mr Subrahmanyan’s words had been taken out of context and misinterpreted as she said the comments were made during an internal discussion but the company’s never mandated or even suggested a 90-hour work week.
The comments were casual in nature and not intended to impose any such directive, she said, “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, “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.”
The controversy began when a video of Subrahmanyan’s remarks during an internal discussion went viral on social media platforms. In the video, Mr Subrahmanyan mentioned his regret at not being able to make employees work on Sundays as he said staff would need to work 90 hours a week if they wanted to be on top of the world. In response to the backlash, a spokesperson for L&T clarified that the chairman’s remarks reflected the company’s broader vision for progress.
Earlier, Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, faced criticism after stating that Indians should work 70 hours a week to drive national progress.
(Manas Dasgupta)
