It appears that the 26-year-old death of EY employee Anna Sebastian Peryail, who was purportedly killed by work-related stress, is not the only incident to have raise eyeballs. Obituaries of IT workers who passed away from cardiac arrest are regularly posted on Prathidhwani, a forum for Keralan IT workers. It comprises both IT workers from other states who work in Kerala and Keralites who work in other states.
Indeed, this has caused the IT community to become extremely concerned. Technopark-based Prathidhwani has sent memorandums to the Kerala and Central governments requesting actions to guarantee the well-being of IT workers.
According to Prathidhwani state convenor Rajeev Krishan, who spoke to the Deccan Herald, since 2023, at least 12 instances of middle-aged IT workers dying from cardiac arrest had occurred.
Following the passing of Anna, an employee of EY, Prathidhwani held a seminar at Thiruvananthapuram Technopark on labour laws and the mental health concerns of IT sector workers.
"The event had witnessed good participation of employees who shared their plights over struggling to maintain work-life balance, especially women. Many felt that work from home is also becoming a vitiating factor for stress owing to limited interaction with colleagues as well as companies expecting employees to be available for work 24 X 7," he said.
Prathidhwani made submissions to the Kerala and Central governments last week based on the comments. The main recommendations include establishing a private grievance resolution process, providing IT staff with a mental health hotline, and making sure the Mental Health Care Act is followed. In order to investigate and manage mental health concerns and work-related stress, Prathidhwani is also starting regular medical camps and health surveys among the staff.
