“My roommate’s dream company was L&T…”: Banker’s anecdote adding heat to the fury of the 90-hour work week

Adarsh ​​Samalopanan, Vice Chairman, Yes Bank, added a personal touch to the growing controversy over L&T’s 90-hour work week controversy.

Sharing an anecdote about his roommate’s job interview with L&T, Samalopanan revealed how a passion like basketball became a deal breaker in the company’s hiring process.

While training on campus, his friend faced a difficult dilemma when the interviewer asked him: “If you promise to quit basketball and devote all your time to studying, I will hire you.”

His friend, who was the captain of his college’s basketball team, answered confidently: “Sir, don’t you think that by maintaining my health through sports, I will be able to provide services to the team in the long run?” He added that sports taught him to achieve results within tight deadlines, valuable skills for a role at L&T.

Despite his thoughtfulness, Samalupan’s friend was rejected. Years later, reflecting on his interview in the middle of a 90-hour workweek, he joked: “Bro, I should have told them I was quitting basketball and working even on Sundays.”

The Central Trade Unions (CTUs) on Tuesday condemned the statement made by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman S N Subramanian, who called for extending working hours to 90 hours a week and suggested employees should work on Sunday instead of “staring at their wives” in… the home. .

While L&T later clarified that the statement reflected a broader ambition to develop India, it drew widespread criticism from various groups, including women’s rights activists, for its tone and implications on work-life balance.

The Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) compared Mr Subramanian’s comments to Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy’s earlier proposal for a 70-hour work week, calling it part of a “rogue competition” among corporate leaders to exploit workers.

ITU Secretary-General Tapan Sen criticized the proposal, highlighting its negative impact on workers’ health and social lives, especially since Indian employees already work longer hours than those in countries like China, Europe and the United States, the Bharatiya Mazdoor leader also condemned. Former Sangh member Vijesh Upadhyay termed the statement as inconsistent with the principles of human dignity and work-life balance. He questioned the justice of such measures taken by individuals who earn much more than the average worker, stressing the need for just and humane working conditions.