L&T’s HR head speaks out on Chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s 90-hour work week comment: “A leader who truly cares…”

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) HR head Sonica Muraleedharan has come to the defense of Chairman SN Subrahmanyan following controversy over his comments advocating for a 90-hour work week. Subrahmanyan’s remarks, which went viral, had sparked outrage after he suggested employees should even forgo Sundays, stating, “How long can you stare at your wife?” He further mentioned that he would be happier if he could make employees work on Sundays, as he himself does.

Muraleedharan, however, took to LinkedIn to clarify the situation. She expressed dismay at how Subrahmanyan’s words were taken out of context, fueling unnecessary criticism. “Having been present during the internal address, I can confidently state that SNS never implied or mandated 90-hour work weeks. His remarks were casual in nature and have been misinterpreted,” she explained.

Muraleedharan emphasized Subrahmanyan’s leadership style, describing him as a leader who genuinely cares for his employees’ well-being. She highlighted that Subrahmanyan treats his employees like family, fostering a sense of unity and belonging in the workplace. According to Muraleedharan, Subrahmanyan consistently balances his demanding professional commitments with creating a supportive and empowering environment. He encourages innovation, skill development, and personal growth while taking the time to connect with his team.

She praised Subrahmanyan as a mentor who leads by example, describing the experience of working under him as a “living masterclass on leadership.” She urged people to understand the full context of his words before rushing to judgment, asserting that leaders like Subrahmanyan inspire positive change and growth, and that such leaders should be celebrated for their ability to empower their teams.

In the wake of Subrahmanyan’s remarks, questions have arisen about his high remuneration, which was reported to be 534.57 times the median pay of his employees. L&T also issued a clarification, stating that the chairman’s comments reflected the extraordinary efforts required to achieve significant outcomes for the nation. “We believe this is India’s decade, a time demanding collective dedication and effort to drive progress and realize our shared vision of becoming a developed nation,” the company said in a statement.