In a tragic turn of events, the recent death of a 26-year-old employee at Ernst & Young (EY) India’s Pune office has brought the issue of overwork into sharp focus.
Anna Sebastian Perayil, a newly qualified chartered accountant, succumbed to the overwhelming workload, sparking outrage and discussions about toxic work cultures and their impact on employees’ well-being.
However, this incident is not isolated; it sheds light on a broader problem prevalent in many organizations. A recent survey suggests that the average working hour of an employee in a week in India is 46.7 hours.
The Silent Collusion: Overwork and Its Consequences
Working long hours has become synonymous with dedication and commitment. However, the glorification of overwork often comes at a steep cost. Here are some key points:
Working is not merely about staying busy; it’s about proving our worthiness—to others and ourselves. Without proper guardrails, employees silently collude with employers who encourage overwork through intense performance pressure.
SightsIn Plus interacted with a professional working in one of the big IT giants in India to understand the work ethics being practiced.
On condition of anonymity, the professional responded “The working hours feel impractical, and there’s little room for mercy or ease.”
The professional added, “Following a recent incident, the company has asked us to reduce our workload, but it seems like there’s still an overwhelming amount of assigned and unassigned tasks.”
They said, “Balancing work and personal life has become quite challenging.”
Anna’s case highlights the toll that excessive work hours can take on physical, emotional, and mental health. Despite suffering from anxiety, stress, and sleeplessness, she persisted, ultimately paying with her life.
Employees across big IT firms in India echo Anna’s struggle. The burden of assigned and unassigned work leaves little room for personal lives. Even when companies acknowledge the need to lessen the load, practical implementation remains elusive.
Shockingly, some organizations reward overwork. Employees who consistently put in extra hours receive better appraisals, while those adhering to the standard 9-hour workday are often told they haven’t done anything extraordinary.
This skewed perception perpetuates the cycle.
Another employee said, “I’ve noticed that sometimes, even when I put in extra effort and work diligently within the 9-hour guidelines, my performance isn’t always recognized as exceptional.”
“Instead, it’s almost as if meeting those expectations is taken for granted, and any additional effort goes unnoticed,” they added.
Industry Leaders’ Perspectives
Recently, NR Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, stirred the debate further. He suggested that Indian youth should willingly work 70 hours a week to enhance the country’s productivity and compete globally.
Narayana argues that India’s work productivity lags behind other nations. To catch up, he advocates for longer work hours as a solution.
His call received both support and criticism. While some agreed with the need for increased productivity, others highlighted the potential health and social consequences of such extreme workweeks.
Sriram Sadras, an accomplished thought leader in the field of human resources (HR) and workplace happiness says, the situation needs “serious introspection”.
He adds that employees also need to learn to say no and prioritize their wellbeing. Being in a competition to reach the highest mark comes with its own stress.
Conclusion
The tragic loss of Anna Sebastian Perayil serves as a stark reminder that we must strike a balance between work and personal well-being.
As organizations cope with the aftermath of this incident, it’s time to reevaluate our approach to work, prioritize employee health, and create environments where productivity doesn’t come at the cost of lives.
Perhaps it’s not about working harder but working smarter and more sustainably. As Narayana Murthy himself said, “This is my country. I’d like to work smarter, not just longer.”
Let us hope that Anna’s sacrifice leads to meaningful change in our workplaces, where humanity prevails over excessive demands.
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