The 90-hour workweek and working on Sundays controversy that was kicked up by L&T chief SN Subrahmanyan has spread the Indian discourse like a wildfire. The comments from Subrahmanyan sparked a debate on work-life balance and general exploration of labour.
The L&T chief who took over the reins of the company in 2017 has received a considerable amount of backlash in the matter.
While many have subjected Subrahmanyan and his comments to acute criticism and scrutiny in the public and political domain, one former employee has come out in support of the company, underscoring the need to understand, what in his words, is the context of the functioning of the company.
It's What The Company Needs
Amey Kulkarni, who claims to a be SEBI-certified investment adviser shared a post with his thoughts on X. Kulkarni started his post and said, "I have worked with @larsentoubro for 2 yrs. Have also interacted with Mr S N Subrahmanyam a few times then in 2015. Working Saturday was always irritating and taxing for me as well."
Despite this, Kulkarni defended his former organisation and said, "But, his 90 hr workweek comment is in exact sync with what his company requires."
L&T Like The Army?
He said that there is a need for some context here. Kulkarni further added, "Let me give the context. Imagine that L&T is building the metro in your city. If L&T works during the night, your metro will get built in half the time. This means metro functional in 5 yrs Vs 10 yrs - BIG difference."
Kulkarni also compared L&T to the armed forces and said, "Also, L&T is a hierarchical organisation like the army. Discipline and work ethics are way more important than knowledge /brilliance/creativity. For educated, middle class, non-software engineers, @larsentoubro is one of the best places to work for life."
I Don't Work There Anymore
Another X user replied to this post and said, L and T has to hire more people, train them and ensure that all of them work on the prescribed law given. You cannot expect o work 90 hours to complete your projects. Hiring more also increases employment."
To which Kulkarni replied and said, "They have built a successful, profitable, global scale company. You (maybe) and I (for sure) have not. Maybe we should not be over-critical of how they are running their company."
However, he did add and admit that he himself did have to deal with such conditions and thinks that he is "fortunate" that he does not work there.
