NEW DELHI: Anand Mahindra, the chairman of the Mahindra Group, has joined the debate on the ideal workweek, following remarks from L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan that sparked widespread online outrage. Speaking at the National Youth Festival in New Delhi on Saturday, Mahindra said that the real issue is not the number of hours worked, but the quality of the output.
“We have to focus on the quality of work, not on the quantity of work. It’s not about 40 hours, 70 hours, or 90 hours. What output are you doing?” Mahindra asserted. He added that even in just 10 hours of work, one could achieve significant change.
You make better decisions when you have a whole brain: Mahindra
Further expanding on his views, Mahindra stressed the importance of a well-rounded life. He argued that having exposure to a wide range of fields, including arts and culture, makes for better decision-makers. “You make better decisions when you have a whole brain, when you are informed about arts, culture, that’s when you make a good decision,” Mahindra explained, as reported by news agency PTI.
He also pointed out that spending time with family, friends, and engaging in personal reflection contributes to better leadership and creativity. “If we are only in the office all the time, we are not with our families, we are not with other families. How are we going to understand what people want to buy? ” he added.
Addressing his followers on X, who often question how much time he spends on social media instead of working, Mahindra explained, “I want to make it clear—I’m on X not because I’m lonely. My wife is amazing, and I love spending time with her. I’m not here to make friends. I’m here because people don’t realize how powerful a business tool this is. On one platform, I can get feedback from 11 million people.”
How long can you stare at your wife? L&T chairman
In a video circulating online, the L&T Chairman advocated for a 90-hour work week and suggested that employees should even give up Sundays for work. His remark, “How long can you stare at your wife?” was widely criticised as insensitive and out of touch with the realities of work-life balance. Subrahmanyan also referred to a conversation he had with a Chinese professional who claimed that working 90 hours a week would help surpass the US, where workers typically work only 50 hours.
Also read: ‘How long can you stare at spouse?’ L&T chief backs working on Sunday
90 hours a week? Why not rename Sunday to ‘Sun-duty’? Harsh Goenka
Business leaders have expressed strong opposition to Subrahmanyan’s remarks. Harsh Goenka, chairman of RPG Enterprises, took to social media to mock the idea of a 90-hour work week, saying, “90 hours a week? Why not rename Sunday to ‘Sun-duty’ and make ‘day off’ a mythical concept!” He said that while hard work is essential, it should not come at the expense of personal well-being. “Work-life balance isn’t optional, it’s essential,” he added.
‘Aath ghanta family ke saath bitayega tho biwi bhaag jaayegi’: Gautam Adani
Gautam Adani also joined the conversation on work-life balance, stating that it is a personal choice. Referring to the often-discussed issue of family time, Adani said, “Aath ghanta family ke saath bitayega tho biwi bhaag jaayegi” (Wife will leave if one spends eight hours with family).
Also read: Gautam Adani’s playful response to Narayana Murthy’s 70-hour workweek advice
This follows comments made by Infosys chairman Narayana Murthy, who suggested that young workers should be prepared to work up to 70 hours a week.
