 |
|
The tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old who passed away just four months after joining SR Batliboi, a member firm of Ernst & Young Global, in Pune, has brought to light the pressing issue of workplace stress in India. Anna's mother, Anita Augustine, in a heart-wrenching letter to Rajiv Memani, EY India chairman, alleged that a toxic work culture at the firm had taken her daughter's life. She accused the management of overburdening new employees with excessive workload, forcing them to work day and night, even on Sundays, and taking advantage of Anna's naivety to overwhelm her with both assigned and unassigned tasks.
This incident has sparked a nationwide conversation about the need for Indian workplaces to prioritize employee wellbeing and address issues surrounding work-life balance and mental health. The Union labor ministry is investigating the circumstances surrounding Anna's death, highlighting the seriousness with which this matter is being taken. Anna's experience, as her mother poignantly stated in her letter, reflects a work culture that often glorifies overwork and overlooks the human cost associated with such practices. The Covid-19 pandemic had already brought into focus the importance of self-care and a healthy work-life balance, as employees realized the finite nature of life and the importance of prioritizing their wellbeing.
However, a 2023 survey conducted by YourDOST, an online emotional wellness platform, revealed that despite the growing awareness, workplace stress remains a significant concern. The survey of over 2,000 employees found that 58% reported high or extreme stress levels, citing lack of work-life balance, constant feeling of judgment, lack of recognition, and persistent low morale as key contributors. Puneet Manuja, co-founder of YourDOST, highlighted the inadequate response from employers, stating that only a small percentage address employee wellbeing holistically. He emphasized that offering counselling services alone is insufficient, highlighting the need to create a work environment that does not place unreasonable demands on employees in the first place.
Several experts have voiced their opinions on how to address this pressing issue. Harsh Goenka, chairperson of RPG Enterprises, urged Indian companies to take immediate action to combat toxic work environments, hold leadership accountable, and shift away from glorifying overwork. He emphasized the need to create a culture where efficiency is rewarded, not the number of hours worked. Pallavi Jha, chairperson and managing director of Dale Carnegie Training India, stressed the importance of companies rethinking their organizational structure, particularly in terms of job role design and resource allocation, to ensure workloads are manageable and not detrimental to employee wellbeing.
Jha emphasized that demanding projects can be valuable learning experiences, but they should have defined timelines and not become a way of life. She also stressed the importance of managerial grooming, emphasizing the need for managers to coach their team members, prioritize work, and ensure their wellbeing. She acknowledged that different individuals have varying capacities for handling stress, and therefore, a one-size-fits-all solution is not effective. Effective leadership development should equip managers with the knowledge and skills to understand the potential toll they may unknowingly be taking on their team members.
The issue of workplace stress is particularly relevant in a multigenerational workforce, where different generations have varying perceptions of wellness. A survey by CIEL HR, an HR services company, revealed that Gen Z employees are more vocal about mental health concerns and experience higher levels of stress related to job uncertainty, heavy workloads, and burnout. Aditya Mishra, CEO and managing director of CIEL HR, suggested that flexible work schedules, open communication, and mentorship programs can contribute to greater employee satisfaction and wellbeing. Ultimately, Anna's death serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for Indian workplaces to prioritize employee wellbeing and create a work culture that is conducive to a healthy work-life balance. It is a call to action to prioritize the human element in the workplace and ensure that the pursuit of productivity does not come at the cost of employee health and happiness.
Source: Anna Perayil's death: What Indian firms must do to alleviate workplace stress