The recent death of 26-year-old Anna Sebastian Perayil, a chartered accountant at Ernst & Young (EY) India, has sparked a national debate about the high-pressure work environment in Indian corporate firms. Her mother’s viral letter alleges that the overwhelming demands of her job contributed to her death, bringing attention to the larger issue of employee well-being in India’s formal workforce.
India’s Overworked Labor Force
Recent labor data reveals that Indian employees are among the most overworked globally, averaging 47-hour work weeks. This figure surpasses countries like China, Singapore, and even Japan, which is infamous for its intense work culture. On average, Indians work 13 hours more per week than their German counterparts. These long working hours are not just prevalent in the informal sector but are also common in the corporate sector, where outdated working practices persist.
Toxic Work Environments in Corporate India
Perayil’s tragic case highlights the toxic culture within some corporate firms. Former employees of EY describe a relentless work environment where 12 to 13-hour days, including weekends, are the norm. The hierarchical structure often leads to managers bullying and degrading junior staff, creating a stressful and mentally taxing work environment. Anonymously, a former employee of EY shared that “life is pretty brutal” at the firm, with overworked employees regularly pushed to exhaustion.
A Culture of Exploitation and Competition
The intense competition for corporate jobs in India only exacerbates the situation. Despite the rising number of graduates in fields like accounting, the availability of positions in major firms remains limited. As a result, global companies like EY face thousands of applicants for a single position, allowing them to maintain high expectations without addressing the well-being of their employees. “If one person quits, there are thousands of others ready to take their place,” said a former employee, reflecting the harsh reality faced by many in the sector.
Corporate Response and Denial
In response to Perayil’s death and the subsequent backlash, Rajiv Memani, head of EY India, denied allegations of a high-pressure work culture, calling them “completely alien to our culture.” The company expressed sadness over her death and reiterated its commitment to employee well-being. However, many remain skeptical, pointing to similar conditions in other major firms across the country.
Calls for Increased Work Hours
India’s corporate culture reflects a broader mentality of extreme work. Last year, Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, suggested that Indians should work 70-hour weeks to boost the country’s economic growth. This mindset, prevalent across various industries, fuels an environment where employees are expected to prioritize work above all else, often at the cost of their mental and physical health.
The Toll on Mental Health and Employee Well-Being
The pressure to meet unrealistic expectations is not limited to accounting firms. Employees across industries such as IT, media, and entertainment report similar struggles, with strict deadlines, micromanagement, and a lack of support leading to burnout. Many professionals are forced to endure these conditions due to the fear of unemployment in a highly competitive job market. Sara, a corporate events worker, shared that she eventually went freelance to escape the long hours and toxic work culture, saying, “You barely have time to eat or sleep properly, and in the end, you lose sight of yourself completely.”
Uncertain Future for Corporate Employees
The corporate sector in India remains largely unregulated when it comes to employee rights and work-life balance. While awareness of these issues is growing, systemic change seems far off. For many employees, the choice is between enduring exploitation or risking unemployment in a saturated job market. Until corporate policies begin to focus on employee well-being over productivity, the current culture of overwork and burnout is likely to continue.
