What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
The tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old Chartered Accountant who joined EY Pune, has cast a harsh spotlight on the toxic work culture prevalent in many corporate environments in India. Anna’s untimely demise, just four months into her job, has been attributed by her mother to the relentless work pressure and a toxic work environment that led to severe exhaustion, anxiety, and sleeplessness.
Anna’s story is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the unhealthy work practices often glorified in the corporate world. The culture of overwork, where long hours and constant availability are seen as badges of honour, is not only unsustainable but also detrimental to employees’ physical and mental health. Anna’s experience, as described by her mother, highlights the extreme demands placed on young professionals, who are often expected to sacrifice their well-being for their careers.
In India, we have had a debate on work hours with Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy recently suggested that young Indians should work 70 hours a week to improve the country’s productivity and global competitiveness. He made these remarks during a podcast, highlighting that India’s work productivity is among the lowest in the world.
His comments sparked mixed reactions. Supporters argued that hard work is crucial for national progress, while critics pointed out the potential negative impacts on physical and mental health, work-life balance, and the already long working hours many Indians endure.
This is different from the discourse in the West over four-day work weeks. Spain initiated a pilot program for a four-day work week in 2021, driven by the left-wing party Más País. The trial is set to run for three years and is partly a response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal is to see if reducing working hours can maintain or even boost productivity while improving workers’ well-being.
In New Zealand, Unilever conducted a trial where employees were allowed to reduce their working hours by 20% without a reduction in pay. This trial aimed to explore the benefits of a shorter work week on productivity and employee satisfaction. The results have been promising, showing that employees can maintain productivity levels while enjoying a better work-life balance.
These trials are part of a broader global movement to rethink traditional work schedules and find more sustainable and humane ways of working. With best-seller books like Tim Ferris’ The 4-Hour Workweek becoming popular in India which focuses on “lifestyle design” and escaping the traditional 9-5 work model, corporate work culture is bound to be part of the global discourse in coming decades.
Anna Perayil’s death reawakened calls for companies to reevaluate their workplace policies and prioritise the well-being of their employees. Organizations must foster a supportive and healthy work environment where employees can thrive without compromising their health. This includes implementing reasonable work hours, providing mental health support, and creating a culture that values work-life balance.
Moreover, there needs to be a shift in the corporate mindset that equates long hours with productivity. Companies must recognize that a healthy, well-rested employee is far more productive and creative than one who is overworked and burnt out. The tragic loss of Anna Sebastian Perayil should not be in vain; it should inspire a movement towards more humane and sustainable work practices.
