'He treats every employee as...': L&T HR head breaks silence on chairman's controversial 90-hour work week remark

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Head of HR, Sonica Muraleedharan, has spoken out in defence of the company’s Chairman, SN Subrahmanyan, after his comments suggesting a 90-hour workweek sparked widespread criticism and debate. The remarks, which were made during an internal address, drew sharp reactions from across the country, including responses from public figures and celebrities.

Muraleedharan described the controversy as a result of the Chairman’s words being “misinterpreted” and taken out of context. Writing on LinkedIn, she clarified that Subrahmanyan’s comments were “casual in nature” and not meant as a directive.

“It’s truly disheartening to see how his words have been misunderstood. SNS never mandated 90-hour workweeks,” she said. She also highlighted Subrahmanyan’s leadership style, praising him for treating employees like family and fostering a supportive work culture.

“SNS genuinely cares for his team’s well-being and creates a nurturing, empowering environment. Working under him has been a transformative experience,” she added.

The controversy began last week after a video surfaced where Subrahmanyan was heard saying employees should work on Sundays and questioned how long one could “stare at your wife.” These comments drew backlash on social media, with actor Deepika Padukone calling them “shocking.” Industry leaders like Anand Mahindra and Harsh Goenka also criticised the idea of a 90-hour workweek.

Muraleedharan urged people to understand the context of the remarks and focus on the positive impact of leadership rather than misinterpretation. Social media users compared Subrahmanyan’s comments to those of Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, who last year suggested a 70-hour workweek.