Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s salary package for the financial year 2023-24 has become a talking point, sparking both awe and outrage. Subrahmanyan reportedly earned ₹51 crore last year—a figure that is a jaw-dropping 534.57 times the median salary of his company’s employees.
According to reports, the chairman’s earnings included a base salary of ₹3.6 crore, perks worth ₹1.67 crore, and ₹35.28 crore as commission. In addition, he received ₹10.5 crore as retirement benefits, rounding off the hefty total.
While his pay has turned heads, it’s the disparity between his earnings and the average worker’s pay that has raised eyebrows. The median salary of an L&T employee stands far lower, amplifying concerns about pay inequality within the company.
A Storm Over Sunday Work Culture
But it wasn’t just his paycheck making headlines. Subrahmanyan is under fire for comments about work culture that many found dismissive and tone-deaf.
In a video that surfaced on Reddit, the L&T boss suggested employees should work 90 hours a week and hinted at dissatisfaction with the current setup. “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be happier because I work on Sundays,” he said in the clip.
What sparked even more outrage was his flippant remark: “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wife stare at the husband?” These statements didn’t sit well with many employees and the public, leading to widespread criticism online.
The Internet Reacts
Social media platforms erupted with reactions, many calling out the chairman’s remarks as out of touch. Comments on Reddit and Twitter poured in, with users criticizing the lack of empathy for employee well-being.
“Does he think people don’t have lives outside work? This is ridiculous,” one Reddit user wrote. Another chimed in, “Pay is one thing, but expecting 90-hour workweeks is insane. Who does he think he is?”
The controversy comes at a time when work-life balance and mental health are hot-button topics globally. Leaders like Subrahmanyan are being held to higher standards as employees demand more humane workplace expectations.
Salary Gap Highlights Bigger Issues
The huge gap between Subrahmanyan’s salary and that of an average employee also reignites discussions about pay inequality in corporate India. While high executive pay is nothing new, the scale of the disparity is what strikes a nerve.
Critics argue that such gaps can harm employee morale and raise questions about the fairness of reward distribution. On the other hand, some supporters believe top leaders deserve high compensation for the responsibility they bear in driving company growth.
L&T’s Response So Far
As of now, Larsen & Toubro has not released an official statement addressing either Subrahmanyan’s salary or the backlash over his comments. Internally, however, sources say there’s growing discomfort among employees, particularly after his Sunday work remarks.
What’s Next?
For many, this incident is another reminder of how corporate leaders need to stay in touch with employee sentiment. Balancing ambitious company goals with respect for personal time has become more important than ever in today’s work culture.
While L&T’s chairman may see his statements as a motivational push, the backlash suggests that employees and the public see it differently. Whether Subrahmanyan will address these concerns directly remains to be seen.
For now, the debate around executive pay, work-life balance, and corporate expectations is louder than ever. What’s clear is that the spotlight on workplace culture isn’t going anywhere.
