A person who is unsure of their course of action or which road to consider may feel like a failure due to the glamorized and normalized idea of winning at everything and having it all together. In our modern world, meeting the expectations of those around us, working tirelessly to the point of insanity, and racing towards the next big goal are all highly valued. Sadly, we fail to understand that nothing outside of ourselves—not society's opinion of us, not a job, not our performance at work, not social deadlines—matters more than our mental and physical health. In a recent tragic case, we discuss a vibrant young professional

Workplace culture and excessive pressure to perform were the reasons behind Anna Sebastian Perayil's death. According to reports, a recent hire at Ernst and Young in Pune, India, on March 19, 2024, suffered from anxiety, insomnia, and chest pain as a result of unmet work pressure and tight deadlines. Through the lens of Anna Perayil's journey, we discuss the negative effects of a toxic workplace culture and notions of hustle in this article, emphasizing the importance of putting our health before our careers.

The Incident

The mother of a deceased employee has written a poignant letter to the chairman of Ernst & Young India, claiming that her daughter died from "overwork" only four months after joining the firm, and pointed out that no company representatives were present at her funeral. In her letter, she fervently called on the company's leaders to confront a work culture that seems to glorify overwork while neglecting the well-being of employees. She expressed a desire for her daughter's passing to inspire essential reforms. EY India issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the loss of an employee and highlighted their commitment to handling the family's communication with great care and sensitivity. In her letter to Rajiv Memani, the chairman, Anita Augustine, the mother of Anna Sebastian Perayil, shared her profound grief and heartache, stating that she felt it was important to reach out in order to help prevent other families from undergoing similar suffering.

Ms. Augustine revealed that Anna finished her chartered accountancy (CA) exams on November 23 of last year and started her career at EY Pune on March 19. Joining the company was a dream for Anna, and she was thrilled to become part of such a prestigious company. Unfortunately, Ms. Augustine's life was turned upside down on July 20, 2024, when she learned of Anna's tragic passing at the young age of 26.

Anna was depicted as a tenacious individual who excelled academically, achieving top grades in both school and college, participating actively in extracurricular activities, and successfully passing her CA exams. When she joined EY Pune, she discovered that her team had a high turnover rate due to demanding workloads, and her manager encouraged her to stay to help change this perception. Ms. Augustine reflected on her experiences where she committed herself to meeting the high expectations of her role. However, the intense workload, new environment, and long hours took a toll on her physical, emotional, and mental health. Shortly after starting, she began to experience anxiety, insomnia, and stress, yet she persevered, believing that hard work and determination were crucial for achieving success.

Workplace Harassment and Toxic Workplace Culture

In the letter, Anna's mother shared her daughter's enthusiasm about securing her first job. She portrayed Anna as a motivated person who excelled academically and worked hard at her workplace fully embracing the challenges she faced. However, the prospect of 70-hour work weeks can create harsh work environments. For many, obtaining a particular job is seen as a way to break free from their socioeconomic circumstances, and there is a collective hope to attain the lives they've always wanted. A user on X shared their reflections and offered prayers.

Toxic workplaces are marked by significant stress, unethical behaviors, intense competition, a lack of respect, and insufficient inclusivity. These conditions can result in employee stress and burnout, leading some to "quit" by merely fulfilling the bare minimum of their responsibilities. In such detrimental environments, employees frequently experience feelings of punishment, rejection, guilt, defensiveness, and humiliation, which complicates their ability to work effectively due to the negative behaviors displayed by both management and peers. Moreover, toxic workplaces can encourage unethical actions, such as racism, dishonesty, and broken promises.

Signs of a toxic workplace

1. High employee turnover is another indicator of a problematic workplace culture. Reasons for leaving may include inadequate pay, limited growth opportunities, and poor company culture. A lack of long-term employees often suggests a toxic environment. Many employees also report a lack of career support, feeling disconnected from their team and lacking mentorship, making it challenging to navigate their career paths, especially in a virtual work setting.
2. Low morale can permeate a workplace, spreading negativity that impacts overall productivity. It is crucial for management to address any sources of negativity promptly to foster a healthier work culture. Gaslighting, defined as making someone doubt their perceptions, has become a significant concern. Instances of gaslighting include hearing negative gossip about oneself, being belittled for expressing emotions, being excluded from relevant meetings, and receiving negative feedback about performance.
3. Toxic cultures also tend to blur work-life boundaries, pressuring employees to prioritize work over personal time, leading to burnout. This can manifest as management expecting workers to stay late, answer emails after hours, or work on weekends. Office gossip can be common, but it tends to escalate in toxic work environments, where clear communication is replaced by whispers, stares, and snide comments. This type of negative communication can lead to workplace bullying, resulting in depression, burnout, and anxiety. Gossip creates drama, distractions, distrust, and emotional pain among employees, fostering a toxic atmosphere where rumors and hostility thrive. Finally, "sick guilt" refers to the shame employees feel for not performing well when ill, leading them to avoid taking necessary time off. To combat this toxic mindset, employees must feel secure in communicating their need for breaks, and companies should create an environment that supports this openness.

The destructive exaltation of hustle culture

The concept of "hustle culture" is prevalent because there always seems to be tasks to complete, leading us to overlook how much we actually work each day. Excessive work has become routine, and those who aren't busy are often perceived as lazy or lacking motivation. This perception makes it increasingly difficult for individuals to take breaks and unwind. Nowadays, many individuals are intensely driven to achieve success, often at the expense of their health and well-being. During moments when we crave a break, motivational speakers at events like TED encourage us to "follow our passion," leading us to question the necessity of having a specific objective. In today's society, many feel that their value is tied to their productivity. Consequently, hustle culture is essentially a contemporary iteration of the longstanding belief that people should exert maximum effort, regardless of the negative effects it may have on them.

In Anna Perayil's account, her supervisor advised her to change how others perceive her and to work harder. At a work event, a higher-up jokingly remarked about the challenges of collaborating with one of Anna's colleagues. Often, Anna received her tasks informally through conversation rather than official assignment. She advised her daughter against accepting additional responsibilities, yet the management continued to press for more work. On one occasion, her assistant manager called her late at night with an urgent task that had to be finished by the next morning, leaving her little time to recuperate. When Anna expressed her discomfort about this situation, her bosses dismissed her concerns, stating that working all night was normal for everyone.

Anna would return to her room extremely exhausted, often collapsing onto her bed without changing out of her clothes. She immediately received numerous messages asking for additional work. Despite her efforts to complete everything on time and her determination to prove herself in her job, she declined our suggestions for a break, eager to learn and explore new tasks. Ultimately, the mounting stress became overwhelming for her, leaving Ms. Augustine feeling sad about the situation. Her mother pointed out that Anna was new to her job and lacked the experience to decline excessive work requests. In her attempt to impress everyone, she pushed herself too hard. However, the reality is that if a tragedy befalls someone, the company they work for or the society that promotes this relentless drive often remains indifferent, leading only to loss of well-being and sorrow for those who care about us.

Work-Life Harmony: The Future Direction

Ms. Augustine pointed out that Anna's situation is a concern for the entire group and requested Mr. Memani to assess the team's collaboration. Anna, known for her kindness and thoughtfulness, would never accuse her superiors of wrongdoing. However, her mother believed it was necessary to voice her concerns since the current circumstances were unjust. New employees shouldn't consistently be burdened with excessively difficult tasks, particularly on weekends. Rather than offering support, Anna's bosses overloaded her with work without any assistance.

Anna's experience highlights a troubling aspect of some workplaces, such as EY, where excessive work is prioritized over employee well-being. This issue extends beyond Anna to many young professionals who begin their careers with enthusiasm but later feel overwhelmed by high expectations. Her tragic passing should prompt all the corporates to reevaluate their practices and implement changes that prioritize the health and happiness of their employees. It's essential for everyone to feel comfortable seeking help, balancing their workload, and not sacrificing their well-being for the sake of productivity. We are all using technology and social media more and more, which makes it easier to stay connected. Many people are now working from home, and it’s getting harder to keep work and home life separate. It’s normal for people to check work emails late at night, take calls during dinner, and work on weekends. How can this be normalized?

Conclusion

The death of Anna Perayil is a tragedy that should serve as a wake-up call for Indian corporate culture to eliminate toxic workplaces and implement work-life policies that support employee well-being. Workers perform better, make fewer mistakes, and are more inclined to speak well of their employer when they are content with their jobs. Businesses that encourage a healthy work-life balance are gaining a lot of popularity, particularly since younger employees are seeking employment that values their time. Thus, it makes sense for companies to retain their current workforce. They can draw in new hires, maintain team cohesion, save time and money, and maintain high employee performance by emphasizing a healthy balance.

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