The recent comments by L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan advocating for 90-hour workweeks and suggesting that employees should work on Sundays have stirred a hornet’s nest. His statement, including the remark, “What are you doing sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife?”, has not only sparked outrage but also reignited a crucial conversation about work-life balance or the lack thereof.
As women, navigating the professional world already comes with unique challenges. These comments feel like a glaring disregard for the realities many of us face. Let’s unpack the implications of such a statement from a woman’s perspective.
The Unrealistic Expectation of 90-Hour Workweeks
Working 90 hours a week – essentially 13 hours a day with no weekends off – is not just unrealistic; it’s inhumane. For women, this expectation can feel particularly daunting. Many of us are already balancing demanding professional roles alongside caregiving responsibilities, whether it’s raising children, managing households, or supporting elderly family members. A 90-hour workweek leaves no room for anything else, let alone the mental and physical well-being of employees.
Why This Hits Women Harder
- The Dual Burden: Women often carry the invisible labor of unpaid domestic work. Extended work hours mean sacrificing precious personal time that’s already in short supply. For women juggling careers and home responsibilities, the notion of spending every waking hour working is not just impractical but detrimental.
- Mental Health Impact: Constantly working without downtime increases stress and risks burnout. Women’s mental health is often overlooked, as societal norms still expect us to “do it all” without complaint. Unrealistic work cultures perpetuate this harmful cycle.
- Missed Opportunities for Growth: With no time for personal development, relationships, or hobbies, women are forced to prioritize work over everything else. This not only affects individual growth but also stifles creativity and innovation in the workplace.
A Culture of Overwork and Burnout
Subrahmanyan’s comments reflect a mindset that prioritizes productivity over people. However, research consistently shows that longer working hours do not equate to better results. Instead, they lead to diminished productivity, lower morale, and higher attrition rates, especially for women who feel unsupported in such environments.
The pandemic has already blurred the boundaries between work and personal life, with remote work making it harder to disconnect. Women’s roles in caregiving increased significantly during this time, adding to their mental and emotional load. Remarks like these only add to the pressure, implying that the only measure of success is working around the clock.
What Women Need Instead
- Flexible Work Policies: Flexible work hours and remote options empower women to balance professional and personal responsibilities. Companies must understand that flexibility fosters loyalty and productivity.
- Supportive Work Environments: Organizations should prioritize mental health and provide resources like counseling, mentorship programs, and safe spaces for dialogue. Leaders must champion a culture of respect and inclusion.
- Redefining Success: Success should be measured by impact and results, not the number of hours worked. Encouraging smarter, more efficient work benefits both employees and organizations.
- Acknowledging Diversity in Needs: Women’s needs differ based on roles, responsibilities, and life stages. A one-size-fits-all approach to work hours ignores this diversity and alienates a significant part of the workforce.
A Call to Action for Leaders
It’s time for leaders to rethink their approach to work culture. Instead of perpetuating outdated notions of productivity, they must foster environments where employees feel valued, supported, and balanced. Women, in particular, need workplaces that recognize their contributions beyond just hours clocked in.
Subrahmanyan’s remarks may have sparked outrage, but they also present an opportunity to have meaningful conversations about what truly makes a workplace thrive. Women’s voices need to be at the forefront of these discussions to ensure a future where work-life balance isn’t a luxury but a standard.
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