‘I’ve cried in the bathrooms…’: Edelweiss’ Radhika Gupta on L&T chief’s 90-hour workweek class

Radhika Gupta, CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, joined the heated debate sparked by L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s call to work 90 hours a week, as she shared her personal experience of working close to 100 hours a week – and why that doesn’t work.

In a post titled “Choices, Hard Work, and Happiness,” Gupta deconstructs the idea that longer hours translate to greater productivity, drawing from her own professional journey.

“I worked 100 hours a week for four months on my first project. Eighteen hours a day, with one day off, and I was miserable 90% of the time. “I cried in office bathrooms, ate chocolate cake at 2 a.m., and was hospitalized twice. More importantly, I may have been at work for 100 hours, but I wasn’t productive in those hours.

Gupta explained that although hard work is not negotiable for success, it must be sustainable. “Hard work does not equal hours worked. Many of those hours in entry-level careers were pure face time. Hard work has to be sustainable so we can do it long enough to start the complex work.

She criticized the shortcomings of a workplace culture that rewards appearance at the expense of production. “Many developed countries work 8-4 hours but ensure those hours are productive. Show up on time, bring your best, and use technology to be efficient,” she wrote, citing her team’s use of artificial intelligence to reduce drudgery.

For Gupta, the discussion must also address mental health and family responsibilities, which are often overlooked in such discussions. “I could work those hours as a young single girl without any responsibilities. Today, between my career, running my home, and giving time to my family, I’m exhausted, even with the privilege and support.”

She urged organizations to create cultures where people are inspired to perform at their best rather than forced to overwork. “When people find purpose in what they do, they go above and beyond, even in difficult personal circumstances. Forcing anything is difficult. Inspiring people to give their best is easier,” Gupta stated.

She ended her post on a hopeful note: “As we contribute to India’s growth, let us strive to be a happy nation, enjoying the fruits of development while building a sustainable work-life relationship. Happiness and progress go hand in hand.”