Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla has weighed in on the continued debate about work-life steadiness, advocating for the significance of high quality over the amount of labor hours. Mr Poonawalla, in a social media put up, echoed Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra’s sentiment, saying, “Sure [Anand Mahindra], even my spouse [Natasha Poonawalla] thinks I’m great, she loves observing me on Sundays. High quality of labor over amount at all times. Work life steadiness.”
Sure @anandmahindra, even my spouse @NPoonawalla thinks i’m great, she loves observing me on Sundays. High quality of labor over amount at all times. #worklifebalance pic.twitter.com/5Lr1IjOB6r
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) January 12, 2025
His remark, made on X, adopted Mr Mahindra’s recent remarks saying that it is not about working 48, 70, or 90 hours per week, however somewhat the output produced. “My spouse is great, I really like observing her,” Mr Mahindra had stated, taking a dig at Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s newest feedback.
Mr Subrahmanyan just lately sparked backlash along with his suggestion that employees should work 90-hour weeks, even on Sundays, to stay aggressive. He stated that he regretted that L&T staff weren’t engaged on Sundays, saying, “If I could make you’re employed on Sundays, I might be extra pleased, as a result of I work on Sundays additionally.”
He additional questioned, “What do you do sitting at residence? How lengthy are you able to stare at your spouse? How lengthy can the wives stare at their husbands? Get to the workplace and begin working.”
Mr Subrahmanyan’s feedback additionally drew criticism from different quarters, together with RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka, who mocked the suggestion of a 90-hour workweek, calling it a “recipe for burnout, not success.” Mr Goenka stated, “Why not rename Sunday to ‘Solar-duty’ and make ‘time without work’ a legendary idea!” He added that work-life steadiness is not optionally available and urged folks to “work good, not slave.”
Former Indian badminton star Jwala Gutta also strongly criticised Mr Subrahmanyan’s feedback, labelling them “misogynistic.” On social media, Ms Gutta questioned why spending time with one’s partner must be seen as an issue, asking, “Why should not he stare at his spouse… and why solely on a Sunday?”
The talk has even drawn consideration from actor and psychological well being advocate Deepika Padukone, who referred to as the remarks “surprising” coming from somebody in a senior place.
Infosys founder Narayana Murthy has additionally beforehand argued in favour of lengthy workweeks, suggesting that staff must be ready for as much as 70-hour workweeks.