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Journalism of Courage
Sonica Muraleedharan, Larsen & Toubro’s Head of Human Resources for Domestic Operations in Power Transmission & Distribution, has come forward to defend the company’s MD & Chairman, SN Subrahmanyan, following backlash over his recent comments advocating for a 90-hour work week. The remarks, perceived by many as a call for an excessive work culture, sparked widespread outrage.
Muraleedharan stressed that Subrahmanyan’s statements were not directives but part of a casual internal dialogue. “This was not an interview. It was internal connect with employees,” she wrote on LinkedIn.
In the post garnering over 800 likes, Muraleedharan clarified that the comments were taken out of context and had been delivered during an internal address, not a formal interview. Referring to the MD as SNS, Muraleedharan said the remarks were casual and not meant to impose a mandate.
“It’s truly disheartening to see how the words of our MD & Chairman, S.N. Subrahmanyan (SNS) have been taken out of context, leading to misunderstandings and unnecessary criticism… SNS never implied or mandated 90-hour work weeks. His remarks were casual in nature and have been misinterpreted, fuelling a controversy that doesn’t reflect his true intentions,” she began her lengthy LinkedIn post.
Muraleedharan, who has been with L&T for nearly five years, described Subrahmanyan as a leader who fosters a sense of unity and belonging among employees, treating them as part of an extended family.
Muraleedharan further urged critics to understand the context of his words before jumping to conclusions, and spoke about his commitment to employee well-being, innovation, and professional growth.
“Despite his packed schedule, he takes the time to connect with employees and ensure their voices are heard,” she wrote.
The controversy began when Subrahmanyan, in an internal meeting, said he would like his employees to work even on Sundays, which would take the workweeks to 90 hours.
“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 more happy, because I work on Sundays also. What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? Come on, get to the office and start working,” he said in the meeting. A clip of his remarks found its way on social media where his comments courted backlash, reigniting conversations about work-life balance.
