The debate around the 90-hour work week got more intense lately with industrialists Anand Mahindra and Adar Poonawalla adding their voices to the matter. The debate began after Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman, S N Subrahmanyan, in an interaction with employees recently said that employees should work even on Sundays.
The executive advocated for longer working hours and said, “How long can you stare at your wife.” The remarks went viral on social media and saw multiple reactions from Netizens.
Adding to the conversation, Mahindra Group Chairman, Anand Mahindra, said that the current debate around the working hours in the ‘wrong direction’. The industrialist was speaking at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 in Delhi and said the focus of the conversation should be on the quality of work and not the quantity.
Mahindra further said, “One can change the world in 10 hours. Let me not get this wrong, of course, but I have to say something. I think this debate is in the wrong direction because this debate is about the quantity of work.”
Notably, in an undated video, Subrahmanyan replied to a query about compulsory Saturday work and said, “If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy because I work on Sundays also… What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? Come on, get to the office and start working.”
In a cheeky response to the same, Serum Institue of India CEO, Adar Poonawalla, on Sunday said, “Yes @anandmahindra, even my wife @NPoonawalla thinks i am wonderful, she loves staring at me on Sundays. Quality of work over quantity always.”
Yes @anandmahindra, even my wife @NPoonawalla thinks i am wonderful, she loves staring at me on Sundays. Quality of work over quantity always. #worklifebalance pic.twitter.com/5Lr1IjOB6r
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) January 12, 2025
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The post received a major response from Netizens with several individuals appreciating both the businessmen for understanding the need of work life balance. One user commented, “Glad to see atleast some people in powerful position are talking about Work life balance.”
Another individual said that hourly wages should be demanded from the employers. They noted, “Narayana Murthy: Work 70 hours a week. L&T Chairman S N Subrahmanyan: Work 90 hours a week. US: Work 8 hours, get paid for 8. India: Work 10 hours, get fixed salary. It’s not dedication, it’s legalized exploitation. Time to demand hourly wages.”
