In today’s fast-paced work environment, prioritising employee mental health is essential for fostering a productive and positive atmosphere.
The sudden demise of a 26-year-old CA Anna Sebastian is a clear example of how employees today are being exploited in the name of becoming “hardworking”.
“Anna was a part of the Audit team at SR Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global, in Pune for a brief period of four months, joining the firm on 18 March 2024. That her promising career was cut short in this tragic manner is an irreparable loss for all of us,” the statement from EY read.
People are venting their angst on social media that such a case with the big-four Ernest & Young would have never happened in any other country except India, since across the world Indians are being termed as most “hardworking individuals.”
And sadly, by death they are proving their acumen.
After Anna's mother Anita Sebastian wrote a moving letter to EY’s Chairman Rajiv Memani, blaming the company and their toxic culture as the sole reason for her daughter’s demise, the people became enraged.
And to top it all, Anna’s mother also stated in her letter that none from EY attended her daughter’s last rites.
In response to Anita’s letter, Memani issued a generic and diplomatic statement, “We are deeply saddened by Anna Sebastian's tragic and untimely passing away. While no measure can compensate for the loss experienced by the family, we have provided all the assistance as we always do in such times of distress and will continue to do so.”
According to Vikram Vij, Director HR, Indigo Airlines, “In such a situation introspection, sanctity for reflection, improvement and progression should be leader’s commitment.”
Even the social media isn’t happy with Memani’s statement, claiming it to be “insensitive” and “diplomatic.”
Industry Speaks
In this context, social media has been quick to bring the spotlight back on the 70-hour-work-week remark of Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Infosys Limited NR Narayana Murthy’s remark. Murthy had suggested in an interview, “Our youngsters need to work for at least 70 hours a week. After the Second World War, the people of Germany and Japan worked for extra hours for the sake of their country. The youngsters in India also own the country and work hard for the sake of our economy."
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, during a conversation with LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, pointed out that while many managers believe employees are slacking off, the workers themselves feel overworked and burned out.
Nadella explained that Microsoft's research, which spans various sectors and regions, revealed this paradox: "Eighty-five percent of managers think their employees aren't working hard enough, while 85 per cent of employees report feeling exhausted and overworked. And these are real statistics!" he emphasised.
Various researches have indicated that post-covid, the way we have been looking at work culture has changed manifolds. Surveys and reports have showcased how work-life balance has become employees’ top priority and their productivity too has improved.
In certain situations, organisations are not organised on work expectations and deliveries, which puts pressure on the teams to deliver without clear expectations, unclear communication and poorly planned projects.
“Engagement surveys, pulse-surveys where in timely ‘check-in’s’ are done with employees on a regular basis are great tools to understand employee sentiment. Basis these surveys and feedback received, an organisation can take timely action to resolve a problem at an early stage,” believes Rajeev Bhardwaj, CHRO, Sun Life Asia Service Centre.
What Next?
Further, reports and surveys claim that organisations need to inculcate an environment where employees feel empowered to speak up about unreasonable demands or tasks outside their capabilities.
“HRs must be proactive by creating transparent frameworks for time management, setting realistic expectations, and ensuring employees have adequate resources and time for professional development. Progressive companies are leading the way in adopting a more positive work culture, and this shift is happening rapidly,” states Santhosh Nair, Director & COO of CIEL HR.
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