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Is L&T Chairman Dangerously Out Of Touch? ₹51 Crore Paycheck And 90-Hour Workweek Remark Ignite Outrage

SN Subrahmanyan Faces Backlash Over Staggering Salary and Controversial Comments on Work Culture

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan has come under intense scrutiny for two reasons: his staggering salary of ₹51 crore for the financial year 2023-24 (FY24) and his controversial remarks advocating a 90-hour workweek. The disparity between his earnings and the median salary of his employees and his comments on work culture has sparked widespread outrage online and offline.

Breaking Down Subrahmanyan’s Salary

Subrahmanyan received ₹51 crore in FY24. The total remuneration package included:

  • A base salary of ₹3.6 crore
  • ₹1.67 crore as perquisites
  • ₹35.28 crore as commission
  • ₹10.5 crore as retirement benefits

This total is a 43.11% increase from the previous fiscal year. However, the steepest salary-to-median ratio has always been the centre of attention in his case. The median remuneration of an L&T employee during FY24 was ₹9.55 lakh. Subrahmanyan’s income is 534.57 times the median compensation, which sparked a debate regarding income inequality across corporate India.

The Controversial Remarks

During a recent employee interaction, Subrahmanyan was asked why L&T employees are still required to work on Saturdays, unlike the five-day workweek observed by many companies. In an undated video that surfaced on Reddit, Subrahmanyan responded with remarks that have since gone viral:

90-Hour Work Week: L&T Chairman's Comment Taken Out Of Context,
his controversial remarks advocating a 90-hour workweek.

“I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be happier because I work on Sundays,” he said. He added, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wife stare at her husband?”

Subrahmanyan cited the example of Chinese workers, claiming they work 90 hours a week to stay competitive. “If you have got to be on top of the world, you must work 90 hours a week. Get going, guys. Come on,” he stated.

Public Reaction

The Chairman’s comments have ignited a storm of criticism as his salary details are coupled with this. Reactions are pouring into social media, mainly against the unattainable expectations and insensitivity in the Chairman’s words. One user on X (formerly Twitter), Dr. Poornima, encapsulated the sentiment of many employees: “Those hardworking people who work for your company don’t have 7 to 8 servants to do the pending jobs piling up at home like washing clothes, cleaning cars, taking their kids for a movie, or clearing their doubts. Let your young employees enjoy family life.”

Even high-profile personalities like actress Deepika Padukone and businessman Harsh Goenka weighed in, criticizing Subrahmanyan for his comments. The overwhelming consensus is that his views reflect a disconnect from the realities of an average employee’s life.

Employee vs. Chairman: A Stark Contrast

The disparity between Subrahmanyan’s and median employee salaries reflects a deeper problem within corporate India. Even as corporate India‘s senior executives rationalize their pay with their responsibilities, the disparity’s scale is problematic regarding ethics and morals, especially if such disparities are paired with suggestions to work for more hours.

Technical Workers, Collective Bargaining
The matter is no longer so much about working hours as about what those hours contribute to professional success and fulfilment.

Many employees and observers argue that executives like Subrahmanyan, with their significant financial resources, are insulated from the challenges faced by regular employees. Household responsibilities, childcare, and personal well-being are often sidelined in a culture that glorifies overwork.

L&T’s Response

L&T again spelt out their passion for nation-building and the level of commitment expected in it while talking to HT.com immediately after criticism: “At L&T, nation-building is the purpose that stands right at the centre of our mandate.” the statement said. We have influenced India’s industry, infrastructure, and technical prowess for over 80 years. This is India’s decade, and the country needs collaboration and effort from all stakeholders to push development forward toward achieving our shared vision for ourselves as a developed country. The whole address by the Chairman invariably highlighted the quest for exceptional effort to generate remarkable results. And L&T, even today, remains committed to creating an environment that nurtures performance, passion, and purpose.

While the company’s statement sought to underline the spirit of hard work and collective effort, it failed to address the concerns about work-life balance and employee well-being.

The Online Fallout

Even this controversy has topped Google Trends. One day, 20,000 search queries popped up on the phrase “L&T chairman.” That too was more out of curiosity by people about the details on Subrahmanyan and his statements than any other query. How this incident becomes viral only gives fuel to the continuous conversation going on related to corporate work cultures in India.

A Broader Conversation

Subrahmanyan’s outburst and remarks have led to a more extensive debate on the future of work. While organizations worldwide discuss flexible hours and employee well-being, working long hours seems even archaic.

L&T chairman SN ...
In a statement to HT.com following the criticism, L&T restated its passion for nation-building and the level of commitment needed for such initiatives.

The criticism isn’t about a single person’s words, but an entire work culture many believe cannot be sustained. Advocating for a 90-hour workweek risks employee burnout and ignores mental health considerations, family time, or what constitutes a good quality of life.

Moving Forward

For L&T and Subrahmanyan, this episode is a wake-up call. The drive for productivity and the well-being of employees cannot be optional in the modern workplace. With changing expectations and evolving businesses, leaders must learn to adapt and be empathetic and understanding toward their workforce.

Although Subrahmanyan’s pay will not increase overnight, this incident should prompt L&T’s top leadership to reflect on themselves. A more humane and sensitive attitude could do wonders for regaining the trust and confidence of the employees—the lifeblood of any company.

The controversy at hand symbolizes the imperative for cultural transformation. The matter is no longer so much about working hours as about what those hours contribute to professional success and fulfilment. The future of work involves finding that harmony.

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