90 Hr Work Week Debate: Economist Sanjeev Sanyal Says 'Gone Into Silliness'- Read Here

Larsen & Toubro Chairman SN Subrahmanyan recently suggested adopting a '90-hour workweek' to increase productivity and remain competitive. Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, wrote on X about the 80-hour work week, and how it is catching on with American banks.

Sanjeev Sanyal: Post On X
 

"Looks like the 80-hour work week thing has caught on. American investment banks want this as norm. As someone who has lived in that universe, let me say that that corporate leaders have gone into silliness. There are indeed spikes in work where such hours are needed, and well-paid professionals should be willing to do this. However, making this "norm" suggests that this is some kind of target.

He also said that the reality is that enforcing this and maintaining quality suffers a moral hazard monitoring problems. In investment banks with such a culture, professionals just begin doing their personal stuff in office hours like going to the gym during office hours, having long lunches, meeting friends dubbed as "meetings" and so on. “City of London and Wall Street runs like this. A few sincere souls actually do the 80-hour norm and burn out. Only very senior managers can sustain 80-hour work weeks because systems are built to sustain them (not just the pay but secretaries, assistants etc). The rest need a life.…," Sanyal said.

What Is the 90-Hour Workweek Controversy?

In a video circulating on Reddit, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan, suggested that employees should work 90 hours a week and even on Sundays to boost productivity and stay competitive. The remarks have sparked widespread criticism on social media.

In the video, Subrahmanyan said, “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays, to be honest. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be happier because I work on Sundays too.” He dismissed the idea of work-life balance with a controversial comment, saying, “How long can you stare at your wife? How long can wives stare at their husbands? Get to the office and start working!”

To justify his stance, Subrahmanyan shared an anecdote about a conversation with a Chinese individual who credited China’s strong work ethic for its global competitiveness. “Chinese people work 90 hours a week, while Americans work only 50 hours a week,” he said, urging L&T employees to adopt a similar approach to stay ahead.

Also Read: PM Modi Inaugurates Z-Morh Tunnel In Sonmarg - Top Developments | Republic Business