The untimely demise of 26-year-old certified officer Anna Sebastian Perayil, only four weeks into her career at Ernst &, Young, is a devastating warning of the dangerous and untenable work tradition that permeates India’s white-collar industries.
What started out as a promising occupation for Anna ended tragically. Her departure is more than just a loss for her family and friends; it also reflects a widespread problem that is bringing many young experts to the precipice.
Business India fosters an environment where stress is celebrated as dedication without regard for its detrimental results on mental and physical health in its glory of continuous work. The outcome: a silent outbreaks of stress has reached a breaking point.
Many professionals employed by India’s multinational corporations ( MNCs ) are all too familiar with Anna’s tragic experience. Studies suggest that she was overwhelmed by force, which led to extreme anxiety, sleepless nights, and, finally, a fatal collapse in her wellness.
In a heart-wrenching email, Anna’s family, Anita Augustine, shared that her child was frequently assigned tasks beyond her power, often during the night, with the justification:” that’s what we all do”.
This mentality—that exhaustion is just part of the job—has become entrenched in business India. The standardization of long working hours and bad working conditions, especially in high-stressed settings like those in IT and consulting, is accepted as the price of victory.
However, the cost is far too great. According to a 2021 Deloitte study, 80 % of American workers report feeling stressed at work, with around 60 % citing overwhelming tasks and a lack of work-life stability. Employers can no longer afford to overlook this as a cost of running a business.
India has some of the world’s longest working hours, and this overwork culture is harming employees ‘ mental well-being. According to a survey conducted for LinkedIn in 2022, 77 % of employees believe their workplaces lack adequate mental health care, leaving employees to deal with their struggles in silence.
Employees are unable to seek help because of this culture of silence, which is made worse by the stigma surrounding mental health. Many people continue until it’s too late because they worry that accepting their vulnerabilities will hurt their professional prospects.
India’s labor ministry launched an investigation, vowing to take action on this issue. However, this inquiry must go beyond token gestures or promises of change.
India’s current labor laws, such as the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code ( 2020 ), primarily focus on physical safety and fail to address the mental health strains that white-collar employees endure.
This oversight is dangerous, especially as mental health issues become increasingly prevalent. Without comprehensive legal protections, corporations will continue to exploit the lack of regulation, perpetuating a work culture that values output over well-being.
A significant part of the problem lies in the fact that MNCs and IT firms, like Ernst &, Young, fall under the Shops and Establishments Act, which offers limited safeguards. This legal flaw allows businesses to demand excessive hours without receiving proper compensation, pushing employees to the point of burnout.
A 2022 KPMG report found that 70 % of white-collar professionals in India work beyond the legally mandated 48-hour workweek, with 75 % receiving no compensation for overtime. This is a direct threat to the health and safety of workers as well as a violation of labor rights.
In response to Anna’s death, Ernst &, Young issued a statement expressing sadness but downplayed her workload, claiming it was no heavier than that of her peers.
This, however, raises an even more troubling question. What does the fact that Anna’s situation was deemed “normal” say about the typical corporate culture in India?
It suggests that the system, which is fundamentally broken, is endemic to the employees ‘ excessive demands rather than exceptional.  ,
Indian labor laws must enforce clear limits on overtime, with mandatory compensation and stringent enforcement. Overwork must be eradicated, and businesses should no longer be able to exploit employees under the guise of professional dedication.
Beyond legal reforms, India’s corporate culture must change. Overwork should no longer be viewed as a badge of honor, but as a perilous habit that threatens lives.
Anna Sebastian’s death is a heartbreaking reminder of the cracks in India’s work culture. Her passing has highlighted the need for reform to enforce reasonable work hours, hold employers accountable for their actions, and protect employees ‘ mental health.
According to a study conducted in 2021 by the World Health Organization ( WHO ), each dollar spent on mental health care generates a productivity return of US$ 4, which highlights the financial and human value of these reforms.
India needs to change so that ambition is no longer contagious with mental health and that employees ‘ well-being is seen as essential and not disposable.
Sachi Satapathy is the director of AF Development Care, and may be reached at [email protected]