Introduction

The life of a working woman in India is far from easy. Beyond the glitzy office spaces and burgeoning corporate culture lies a hidden burden—an exhausting work routine that leaves little time for personal well-being. Recent data shows that working women in India, especially those in high-pressure jobs like auditing, IT, and media, spend more than 55 hours a week at work, often dealing with additional responsibilities at home. Tragically, the case of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a young Chartered Accountant at Ernst & Young (EY), brought this issue into the limelight. Anna’s untimely death, reportedly due to work stress, has triggered discussions about the toll such a lifestyle takes on the health of Indian women.

This article aims to explore the growing concern around the long working hours faced by Indian women professionals, the impact on their health, and the urgent need for solutions to create a better work-life balance.

The Case of Anna Sebastian: A Wake-Up Call for India’s Workforce

The tragic death of 26-year-old Anna Sebastian Perayil in July 2024 at her apartment in Bengaluru shocked the nation. According to her mother, Anna’s death was the result of extreme “work stress” caused by her job as a Chartered Accountant at Ernst & Young (EY). In a heartfelt letter that went viral on social media, Anna’s mother wrote to the India chairman of EY, urging the company to investigate the working conditions that led to her daughter’s death. The letter highlighted the growing pressure on young professionals, particularly women, who often have to balance demanding careers with personal and family responsibilities.

Anna’s death has sparked a national conversation about the unsustainable expectations placed on employees in high-demand sectors like finance, auditing, IT, and consulting. Her case is just one of many that shed light on the toxic work culture that prioritizes productivity over well-being, often with fatal consequences.

Women in Professional Jobs: The Data Speaks Volumes

According to data published by *The Data Point*, Indian women in professional jobs such as auditing, information technology, and media work more than 55 hours per week on average. This translates to about 9-11 hours of work each day, depending on whether it is a six-day or five-day work week. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, where most countries have stricter regulations on working hours and overtime.

But the numbers only tell part of the story. Women in these industries not only face long hours at work but are also expected to contribute to household responsibilities. The cumulative effect of these dual roles is that many women end up working far more than 55 hours a week, leaving them with little time to rest or take care of themselves.

The Double Burden: Office and Home Responsibilities

For many Indian women, professional success comes at the cost of personal sacrifice. Unlike men, who often can devote their full attention to their careers, women are expected to manage both professional work and household duties. This "double burden" has profound consequences on their mental and physical health. After spending a full day at the office, women often return home to another shift of housework—cooking, cleaning, caring for children or elderly family members, and managing various domestic tasks.

This dual role of being both a career professional and a homemaker is a uniquely challenging aspect of being a woman in the workforce. It not only leaves women with less time for themselves but also contributes to high levels of stress, anxiety, and exhaustion. Many women report feeling overwhelmed and unable to maintain a healthy balance between their career and personal life, a problem that only intensifies as they progress in their careers.

The Global Context: How Indian Women’s Workload Compares

Globally, working women face many challenges in balancing their professional and personal lives. However, the situation for Indian women is particularly severe. According to a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Indian women spend more time on unpaid domestic work than women in most other countries. While Indian men spend an average of 31 minutes a day on household tasks, women spend five hours or more on such activities. This is in addition to the long hours many women spend at their professional jobs.

In comparison, women in countries like France, Canada, and the US have more evenly distributed household responsibilities, with men sharing a larger portion of the domestic work. While these countries are not without their own challenges, women in India face a higher total workload, with less time for rest and relaxation.

Mental Health Crisis: The Impact of Overwork on Women

The relentless pace of work and the expectation to manage both a career and a household often push women to the brink of exhaustion. Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and burnout are increasingly common among professional women in India, yet they are rarely addressed. The stigma associated with mental health care and the lack of time or resources to seek help prevent many women from addressing their struggles.

The case of Anna Sebastian serves as a stark reminder of the impact that unchecked work stress can have on a person's mental health. In her mother’s letter, she described how Anna had been under constant pressure to meet work deadlines, often working late into the night. Like many other women in similar roles, Anna’s mental health concerns were overlooked, with the emphasis always on getting the job done.

Employer Responsibility: The Role of Companies Like EY

Large corporations, especially in the auditing, consulting, IT, and finance sectors, are known for their demanding work environments. While the fast-paced, high-pressure culture may drive productivity and profits, it comes at a significant cost to employee well-being. In Anna Sebastian’s case, her employer, Ernst & Young (EY), was at the center of public scrutiny after her death.

Companies like EY have a responsibility to ensure that their employees are not overburdened to the point of mental or physical collapse. This includes offering flexible working hours, mental health support, and manageable workloads. Unfortunately, the current reality is that many organizations place profits above people, leading to environments where burnout, stress, and exhaustion are the norm rather than the exception.

Legal Protections: What Indian Labor Laws Say

India has several labor laws that are designed to regulate working hours and protect employees from excessive demands. The Factories Act, 1948, and the Shops and Establishments Act are two key pieces of legislation that set maximum working hours and mandatory rest periods. However, the implementation of these laws often leaves much to be desired, especially in high-pressure industries like IT, media, and finance.

Women in managerial positions or those working in unregulated sectors like freelance media often fall through the cracks of these protections. Moreover, the culture of presenteeism—where employees feel the need to be available at all times, even after official working hours—undermines these laws.

The Role of Technology: A Double-Edged Sword

While technology has revolutionized how we work, allowing for remote work and greater flexibility, it has also blurred the lines between professional and personal life. Many women find themselves constantly connected to their work through emails, phone calls, and virtual meetings, making it difficult to truly disconnect and take time for themselves. The "always-on" culture has made it harder for employees to draw boundaries, with many feeling the need to be available 24/7 to meet workplace expectations.

This intrusion of work into personal time further reduces the hours available for rest and recovery. For working women, this can be particularly challenging, as they already face the burden of household responsibilities.

The Need for Work-Life Balance: Solutions for a Healthier Future

Creating a better work-life balance for women requires systemic changes in how work is structured and managed. Companies need to adopt policies that promote work-life balance, such as flexible hours, remote working options, and adequate mental health support. It is also crucial to recognize the specific challenges faced by women and create systems that allow them to balance their professional and personal responsibilities more effectively.

Governments, too, have a role to play in ensuring that labor laws are enforced and that companies are held accountable for the well-being of their employees. More stringent regulations on working hours, overtime, and mental health support are essential to prevent cases like Anna Sebastian’s from becoming a norm.

Beyond Work: The Importance of Self-Care and Mental Health

In the fast-paced world of work, it’s easy for women to forget about the importance of self-care and mental health. However, without adequate rest and recovery, even the most ambitious professionals will eventually burn out. Prioritizing self-care is not selfish; it’s essential for maintaining long-term physical and mental well-being.

This can include setting clear boundaries at work, delegating household tasks when possible, and making time for hobbies, exercise, or relaxation. Employers, too, must recognize the importance of mental health days, encouraging their employees to take time off when needed.

Conclusion: The Path Forward for Indian Women Professionals

The tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil should serve as a turning point in how we view work culture in India. It highlights the urgent need for a shift in both corporate policies and societal expectations to ensure that women have the time and space to rest, recharge, and lead fulfilling lives. Employers, governments, and society as a whole must work together to reduce the burden on working women, create healthier work environments, and promote mental and physical well-being.

By taking these steps, we can build a future where women no longer have to choose between professional success and personal well-being, and where companies prioritize the holistic health of their employees.

.    .    .

References:

1. "The Data Point - Professional Women in India Face Long Working Hours," The Economic Times, July 2024.
2. OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), Gender Equality and Women's Workload Report, 2022.
3. "Mental Health in India: The Silent Epidemic," Indian Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 62, 2020.
4. "Anna Sebastian Perayil: The Tragic Death of a Young CA and the Consequences of Workplace Stress," The Times of India, August 2024.
5. "India's Unpaid Work Burden: The Gender Divide," The Hindu, 2023.
6. "Labour Laws and Working Hours in India," Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, 2021.
7. "The Role of Technology in Work-Life Balance: A Double-Edged Sword," Harvard Business Review, 2023.
8. "Workplace Mental Health: Global Trends and India’s Response," World Health Organization (WHO), 2023.