Work-Life Balance or Sacrifice? A wake-up call for India's Corporate Culture
Prof Dr Surjeet Sahoo
The tragic death of Anna Sebastian, a young chartered accountant at EY, has cast a harsh spotlight on the dark side of India's corporate culture. The incident, coupled with Narayan Murthy's recent comments advocating for a 70-hour workweek, has ignited a nationwide debate on the perils of overwork and the urgent need for mental health support in the workplace.
Anna's story is a heartbreaking reminder that ambition, while admirable, can come at a devastating cost. Her mother's poignant letter to EY's chairman paints a picture of a young woman crushed under the weight of relentless work pressure. This incident serves as a wake-up call for companies to re-evaluate their work culture and prioritize the well-being of their employees.
The "late-sitting" culture, where long hours are normalized and even celebrated, is a pervasive problem in many Indian corporations. Employees often feel compelled to sacrifice their personal lives and mental health in the pursuit of success. This relentless pressure can lead to burnout, anxiety, depression, and in extreme cases, tragic outcomes like Anna's.
While some business leaders applaud Murthy's vision of a hardworking India, the reality is that pushing young professionals to the brink of exhaustion is unsustainable and counterproductive. Studies have consistently shown that prolonged overwork can lead to decreased productivity, increased errors, and a host of health problems.
It's time for a cultural shift in corporate India. Companies must prioritize work-life balance, promote mental health awareness, and create a supportive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to set boundaries.
The conversation around Anna's death should serve as a catalyst for change. It's a call to action for companies to create a workplace where ambition doesn't come at the cost of mental and physical well-being. It's a reminder that true success lies in fostering a healthy and sustainable work environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally.
We have to balance our different aspects and different responsibilities of life as complete human being. Some exceptional people may excel in certain areas. But this may not happen in all people. Our body needs proper rest to rejuvenating and preparing for the next day. Work should be enjoyable and motivating to get maximize the results. Stress is good up to certain extent but after that excess of anything is good for nothing and person breaks down. Sometimes drastic decisions like ending life are there. For this a good support system is required. We have to do work hard is true but success is most likely from working intelligently and using some technology.
Prof. Dr Surjeet Sahoo, HOD, PSYCHIATRY, IMS and SUM Hospital.
