Three Deaths and an Unseen Toll of Office Work Pressure

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By Syed Saba Rizvi, Edited By Adam Rizvi, The India Observer, TIO: In recent months, a series of tragic deaths in Pune, Chennai, and Lucknow have cast a harsh spotlight on the escalating issue of excessive work pressure in corporate environments. These incidents involve the deaths of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a young chartered accountant at Ernst & Young in Pune, Karthikeyan, a software engineer in Chennai, and Sadaf Fatima, a bank employee in Lucknow.

Each case reveals the hidden, yet all-too-common, human cost of overwork. They are grim reminders of how office stress and excessive pressure are wreaking havoc on employees’ physical and mental health, even to the point of death.

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Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant working for Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune, was found dead in her home, allegedly due to work-related stress. According to reports, she had been shouldering immense pressure after joining the firm, with long hours and mounting expectations. The shocking nature of her death drew attention to the rampant overwork culture in India’s corporate sector, where employees are often expected to operate under relentless pressure without adequate mental or emotional support.

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Such was the outrage over Anna’s death that both the government and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had to take notice. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also spoke to her bereaved parents.

Anna’s death was not an isolated incident. In Chennai, 38-year-old Karthikeyan, a software engineer, took his life through self-electrocution, reportedly driven by depression linked to intense work pressure. His death further underscores the prevalence of stress in tech industries, where high workloads, tight deadlines, and intense competition are often considered part of the job.

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Similarly, in Lucknow, Sadaf Fatima, a 45-year-old HDFC Bank employee, succumbed to a heart attack, reportedly exacerbated by excessive workplace demands. These three deaths, occurring within a span of just days, reveal how pervasive and deadly the issue of overwork has become across sectors, from finance to technology to banking.

Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, voiced her heartbreak in a public letter that gained widespread attention. She blamed Ernst & Young for glorifying a toxic culture of overwork that, she believed, led to her daughter’s untimely death. Her poignant words struck a chord with many, as she revealed the immense pressure her daughter faced in her role, leading her to a point where she could no longer cope. She alleged that no one from the office came to her daughter’s funeral.

“I lost my daughter to a job that demanded too much and gave back too little,” she wrote. “She was not just an employee; she was my child, and her life should have been valued more than meeting deadlines.” Anita’s letter has been a wake-up call for both employers and society, reminding us that no job is worth the sacrifice of a human life.

In response, Rajiv Memani, Chairman of EY India, expressed deep sorrow over Anna’s death and pledged to prioritize employee well-being. While his words were intended to reassure, the broader issue of corporate overwork remains largely unresolved. Employers must do more than offer condolences; they must foster a fundamental shift in workplace culture.

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The deaths in Pune, Chennai, and Lucknow underscore a broader systemic issue plaguing modern workplaces. In many companies, long hours and constant performance pressure are considered the norm, if not a badge of honour. Employees are often expected to be available at all hours, pushing through fatigue and mental exhaustion in the pursuit of success.

This toxic culture is not limited to any one sector. In the tech industry, software engineers like Karthikeyan are often required to meet punishing deadlines in fast-paced, high-stakes environments. In the banking sector, employees like Sadaf Fatima are frequently tasked with exceeding sales targets, often at the expense of their mental and physical health.

Unfortunately, the media is also not immune to office toxicity. The work pressure, as well as constant layoffs and lack of job security in various organizations, adds to the worsening of employees’ mental health.

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The rise of remote work has also blurred the boundaries between professional and personal life, further compounding the problem. Employees now find themselves “always on,” unable to disconnect from their jobs, which creates a breeding ground for burnout, anxiety, and depression.

While companies like Ernst & Young may pledge reforms, meaningful change requires more than token gestures. Employers must take proactive steps to ensure their workplaces foster a culture of balance and well-being, rather than one of perpetual stress.

Companies must set achievable targets for their employees. Unrealistic deadlines, excessive workloads, and constant pressure to perform only serve to push workers to their breaking points. By focusing on quality rather than quantity, organizations can foster a healthier, more sustainable work environment.

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Employees should be encouraged to maintain a healthy separation between work and personal life. This includes clearly defined working hours, the promotion of regular breaks, and the discouragement of after-hours communication unless absolutely necessary.

Corporations must prioritize mental health by offering resources such as counselling services, mental health days, and stress management programs. Employees should feel comfortable seeking help without fear of stigma or negative career repercussions.

There must be a shift in workplace culture that encourages employees to discuss their stress and workloads without fear of judgment or retribution. Open dialogue can prevent the silent build-up of pressure that leads to burnout and worse outcomes.

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Beyond corporate reforms, there is also a need for government intervention. Labour laws in India must be strengthened to protect employees from excessive work demands. Policymakers should introduce regulations that enforce maximum working hours, mandate adequate rest periods, and provide legal frameworks for addressing mental health in the workplace.

The tragic deaths of Anna, Karthikeyan, and Sadaf have laid bare the devastating impact of overwork. Their stories are not just statistics; they represent human lives, filled with aspirations, dreams, and families who now mourn their loss. These incidents serve as a powerful reminder that the culture of relentless hustle comes with a cost that is far too high to bear.

For employers, policymakers, and society as a whole, this is a wake-up call. It is time to reimagine workplaces where employees are valued not only for their productivity but also for their well-being, and where job security exists so that employees do not fear being sacked all the time. No job, no deadline, and no target should ever be worth a human life.

Only by making systemic changes at every level—corporate and societal—can we prevent more such tragedies and ensure that work enhances, rather than diminishes, the quality of life. The cost of excessive pressure is no longer confined to lower productivity or missed goals—it is claiming lives. It is time to act before more lives are lost.

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Curated and Compiled by Humra Kidwai

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