Death of Indian employee sparks debate on 'toxic work culture'
The tragic death of a 26-year-old Indian employee at a leading accounting firm has ignited a serious debate about workplace culture and employee welfare in corporate environments.
Anna Sebastian Perayil, a chartered accountant at Ernst & Young (EY), died in July, four months after joining the firm. Her parents have alleged that the "overwhelming work pressure" at her new job took a toll on her health and led to her death.
EY has refuted the allegation, saying that Perayil was allotted work like any other employee and that it didn't believe that work pressure could have claimed her life.
Her death has resonated deeply, sparking a discussion on the "hustle culture" promoted by many corporates and start-ups - a work ethic that prioritises productivity, often at the expense of employee well-being.
Some argue that this culture drives innovation and growth, with many choosing extra hours out of passion or ambition. Others say that employees are often pressured by management, leading to burnout and a diminished quality of life.
Perayil's death came under the spotlight after a letter written by her mother Anita Augustine to EY went viral on social media last week. In the letter, she detailed the alleged pressures her daughter had experienced at work, including working late into the night and on weekends, and appealed to EY to "reflect on its work culture" and take steps to prioritise its employees' health.
"Anna's experience sheds light on a work culture that seems to glorify overwork while neglecting the very human beings behind the roles," she wrote. "The relentless demands and the pressure to meet unrealistic expectations are not sustainable, and they cost us the life of a young woman with so much potential."
Many people condemned EY for its "toxic work culture", sharing their experiences on Twitter and LinkedIn. One user alleged that he had been made to work for 20 hours a day at a top consultancy firm without being paid overtime.
"Work culture in India is horrid. Pay is dismal, exploitation is max [maximum]. There are zero repercussions and no remorse on the part of employers who routinely harass workers," another user wrote, adding that managers are often praised for overworking and underpaying their employees.
A former EY employee criticised the work culture at the firm and alleged that employees were often "mocked" for leaving on time and "shamed" for enjoying weekends.
"Interns [are] given crazy workload, unrealistic timelines and [are] humiliated during reviews as it builds character for their future," he wrote.
Source: BBC