New Delhi: In a video, the L&T chairman was seen supporting the idea of “90-hour work weeks” which sparked a serious discussion on social media. Muraleedharan has opposed the criticism that has been directed towards chairman SN Subrahmanyan for his suggestion of working overtime. However, the Human Resources of the company was quick to defend Subrah manyan’s remarks stating that the Chairman was “misinterpreted”.

“It is bizarre and truly discombobulating to imagine how the words of our MD & Chairman, SN Subrahmanyan (SNS) has been said out of context allowing for misinformation and unwarranted backlash to ensue SN Subrahmanyan,” She said on a post on LinkedIn. “As someone who was present during the internal address, I can say with confidence that SNS did not ever suggest any 90 hour weeks nor did he make it a requirement,”

According to him, that casual discussion form which he made those controversial remarks was not supposed to be that controversial.

“While praising Chairman’s leadership she further said “He regards every single worker as a member of an extended family rather than just an employee which promotes the feeling of belonging which is uncommon in this generation,””

"Without a doubt, SNS is a leader who truly cares about his team. He manages to perfectly juggle all of his professional obligations while always nurturing and elevating his team, which is something quite remarkable. It is empowering to work with someone who constantly demonstrates exemplary characteristics of a leader. It should be added that it was more than a mere job, and more like a life changing voyage through lucid leadership in which every instance was more or less a masterclass," she continued.

"Positive change and development is only a dream without people like SNS and instead of looking like a whimp, accept what is being done, there is no point in going around the controversy. Many leaders instil confidence and motivation into their teams as well as aid them in growing but rather than going around in circles waiting for change, let’s go gung...” she stated.

Last week, Subrahmanyan was interrogated for the remark he made that people should clock 90-hour workweeks which included Sundays so as to remain competitive at the workplace.

“How long can you look at your wife,” he added, according to a video address that has stemmed outrage on social media.

He goes on to say, **L&T's Policy GIVES ME A BIT OF GUILT, but please understand I am not in a position to force you to work on a Sunday**, 'but I would be rather happy to allow Sunday shift' and storms. "A: Why not? I also work on Sunday," he says, exasperated.  

Actor Deepika Padukone’s words are quoted, “this is baffling to see people in such high up positions say something like this” most are explicit or mocking, Adar Poonawalla, Serum Institute of India CEO, RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra were among those who were mocking the stupid idea of a 90 hour work-week.  

Atul Soorya, Subrahmanyan’s logic was taken to a notch further when people started to compare it with Narayan Murthy’s controversial stance in which he suggested in last year that employees of Infosys work for 70 hours a week.