"Toxic Corporate Work Culture in India: What Anna Sebastian’s Story Tells Us"

The corporate landscape in India is bustling with unprecedented changes, growth, and innovation. However, the untimely death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old Chartered Accountant who had just started her career and worked at EY’s Pune office, has sent shockwaves through the corporate sector. It has also shed light on how workers, especially in the consultancy sector, have to endure toxic, high-pressure environments all year round. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated story. Cases like this have been on the rise, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic.

India’s corporate sector has been advancing exponentially, but the surging cases of deaths due to overwhelming work expectations, stress, and unattainable targets indicate that the work culture in India is increasingly dominated by the exploitation of workers in the name of productivity. This is contributing to a growing mental health crisis among employees.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, work was limited to the hours spent at the office. However, ever since we adopted “work from home,” there hasn’t been a clear distinction in the number of hours one works. There is a significant work-life imbalance, with no physical barrier between the workplace and home. The blurring of boundaries between work and personal life due to remote working is causing burnout. Long working hours and constant connectivity are leading to a decline in quality family time.

Even after the COVID-19 pandemic came to an end, employees are still expected to respond to emails and work on tasks even after returning home or while on leave. The goals and expectations set for them put immense pressure on employees, who must complete tasks within unrealistic deadlines. This stress can trigger coronary heart disease, heart attacks, or diabetes. Job dissatisfaction is another workplace stressor that affects employees’ physical as well as psychological well-being.

Corporate culture in India also perpetuates a cycle of competition that leaves little room for individual well-being. Employees are often pitted against each other to meet targets or secure promotions, leading to a hostile work environment where collaboration is stifled and burnout becomes normalized. The "always-on" culture and the expectation to be constantly reachable create an atmosphere where workers struggle to switch off from their professional lives, fostering a state of chronic stress that undermines long-term health and productivity. Moreover, performance metrics often prioritize quantitative results over the quality of work, further pushing employees to overextend themselves without adequate recognition or rewards.

Additionally, there is a lack of robust legal frameworks to protect employee rights and mental health in the workplace. While other countries have laws mandating workplace well-being programs and limits on work hours, India's labor laws often fall short in addressing these issues comprehensively. Many employers do not prioritize employee mental health initiatives, viewing them as secondary to business goals. This absence of structured policies leaves workers vulnerable to exploitation and significantly increases the likelihood of occupational burnout. There is an urgent need for regulatory reforms that set standards for mental health support in the workplace and hold corporations accountable for ensuring employee well-being.

One might assume that this is a worldwide issue affecting people across the globe. However, in many countries, the mental well-being of employees is prioritized. They are given proper breaks, credited for their accomplishments, and acknowledged in ways that make them feel appreciated. According to the Life-Work Balance Index 2024, New Zealand is the country with the best work-life balance, where even the biggest firms have relatively small employee numbers.

In India, employees are perceived as expendable work machines that should be used to the fullest extent. India has one of the youngest workforces in the world, with a median age of 28 years. The corporate sector employs over 50 million people, with significant representation in IT, finance, manufacturing, and services. About 40% of employees report high levels of stress due to work pressures. In addition, there is uncertainty regarding job security because the rise of automation is causing concerns about job displacement, contractual work is increasing, and rapid technological advancements are creating a skills mismatch, leaving employees feeling their current skills are outdated.

To prevent further mental health crises, changes need to be made. Companies should encourage employees to disconnect after work hours and take regular breaks.

Implementing flexible working hours and providing time-off options can help employees recharge. Offering reskilling and upskilling opportunities to prepare employees for future roles, along with implementing clear career progression paths and transparent communication about job stability, can also help. To foster a healthy work environment, comprehensive wellness programs should be introduced that address both mental and physical health.

Although the toxic corporate work culture in India has impeded the lives of innumerable employees, by fostering a resilient workforce, India can ensure that its corporate employees thrive in an ever-evolving global economy. The future holds immense potential, and with the right approach, corporate life in India can become a model for innovation, growth, and employee well-being.

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