90 hours per week. Double the work, Double the pay!

Quite a backlash. Reasonably so. I sincerely hope the requirement meant min 90 hours per week for the industry trending AI robots! Humans can't be robots after all. The question is, why 90, why not 168, in true spirits to the 24x7 concept!

While I write this, I do realize I've been a culprit within this ecosystem myself. But hey, there's a lot to achieve in life after all. Achieve what? Success. But what is success? The answer would differ for each individual, where we are pretty much the victims of the system. The rationale of working hard, slogging in additional hours is primarily practiced/ expected bottom up the professional hierarchy. Probably one of the reason, why the statement from L & T Chairman, Mr. S N Subrahmanyam, has created such a furor.

Moving on from the backlash, which seems a bit too harsh, after all what crime did the dude really commit? Aren't the hyper ambitious lots within the organizations already working more? Ask an Investment Banker? An engineer who codes? A doctor managing critical care?... examples are plenty. However, you wouldn't really find any such examples in the Top 10 nations (on Happiness Index). Balance is the key. Easier said, than done!

For me the bigger issue is the tonality of the message, not the 90 hours. That's a personal choice. We at respective junctures of our career and personal life, would want to slog/ balance out the work schedules as the situation demands. But why bring in a personally discreet mention of "staring at a wife"?

Firstly, we don't stare at a wife, we watch and adore, with love and respect. Its an extremely personal space to discuss or comment on a public platform.

Secondly, not all would be in a shoes of influence or financial independence that could allow leaving the chores/ responsibilities/ weekend plans on paid proxies. Mr. SNS might be in a rather comfortable position and wants to give it a crack to enhance efficiencies (at the cost of health, personal space, mental & physical well-being, quality family time... blah blah...) and take L&T at a vertical epitome that's not yet been touched.

Thirdly, what's the science and logic of 90? Is there any research to validate how this will enhance efficiencies at L&T? But Sir, please take a step back and amidst this wonderful leadership style, please tick the box of doing the basics right - "COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY". Don't hurt sentiments. Don't push people to NOT have a life if you don't. Don't dictate as an owner, since you are an employee too.

PS: Give a choice to those who really wish to slog it out beyond the "legally required hours", but remunerate them with a premium. Please don't demand FREE work. If you wish to double the hours, please double the pay, plus add a premium to compensate for the hardships caused. Also, please consider adding a well-being allowance for the impacted families. Plan the Saturday & Sunday entertainment/ grocery shopping/ etc. errand allowance. After all, there are no free lunches!