The untimely death of 26-year-old chartered accountant Anna Sebastian Perayil, just four months into her tenure at Ernst & Young, is a devastating reminder of the toxic and unsustainable work culture that permeates India’s white-collar industries.
What began as a promising career for Anna ended in tragedy. Her passing is more than just a personal loss for her family and friends; it reflects a systemic issue that’s pushing countless young professionals to the brink.
Corporate India, in its glorification of relentless work, is fostering an environment where overwork is celebrated as dedication, with no regard for its destructive effects on mental and physical health. The result: a silent epidemic of burnout has reached a tipping point.
Anna’s tragic experience is all too familiar for many professionals working in India’s multinational corporations (MNCs). Reports suggest that she was overwhelmed by pressure, which led to severe anxiety, sleepless nights, and, ultimately, a catastrophic collapse in her health.
In a heart-wrenching letter, Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, shared that her daughter was regularly assigned tasks beyond her capacity, often during the night, with the justification: “that’s what we all do.”
This mentality—that overwork is simply part of the job—has become ingrained in corporate India. The normalization of excessive hours and unhealthy work conditions, particularly in high-stress environments like the IT and consulting sectors, is accepted as the price of success.
But the price is far too high. According to a 2021 Deloitte survey, 80% of Indian employees report feeling stressed at work, with over 60% citing unmanageable workloads and a lack of work-life balance. Employers can no longer afford to dismiss this as the cost of doing business.
India is home to some of the longest working hours in the world, and this culture of overwork is taking a dangerous toll on employees’ mental well-being. A 2022 LinkedIn survey revealed that 77% of employees believe their workplaces lack adequate mental health resources, leaving workers to grapple with their struggles in silence.
This culture of silence, compounded by the stigma surrounding mental health, prevents employees from seeking help. Many fear that admitting vulnerability will damage their career prospects, and so they press on—until it’s too late.
India’s labor ministry launched an investigation, vowing to take action on this issue. However, this inquiry must go beyond token gestures or promises of change.
India’s current labor laws, such as the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code (2020), primarily focus on physical safety and fail to address the mental health strains that white-collar employees endure.
This oversight is dangerous, especially as mental health issues become increasingly prevalent. Without comprehensive legal protections, corporations will continue to exploit the lack of regulation, perpetuating a work culture that values output over well-being.
A significant part of the problem lies in the fact that MNCs and IT firms, like Ernst & Young, fall under the Shops and Establishments Act, which offers limited safeguards. This legal loophole allows companies to demand excessive hours without proper compensation, pushing employees to the point of burnout.
A 2022 KPMG report found that 70% of white-collar professionals in India work beyond the legally mandated 48-hour workweek, with 75% receiving no compensation for overtime. This is not only a violation of labor rights but also a direct threat to the health and safety of workers.
In response to Anna’s death, Ernst & Young issued a statement expressing sadness but downplayed her workload, claiming it was no heavier than that of her peers.
This, however, raises an even more troubling question. If Anna’s situation was considered “normal,” then what does that say about the standard corporate culture in India?
It suggests that the excessive demands placed on employees are not exceptional but rather endemic to the system—a system that is fundamentally broken.
Indian labor laws must enforce clear limits on overtime, with mandatory compensation and stringent enforcement. The culture of overwork must be dismantled and corporations should no longer be allowed to exploit employees under the guise of professional dedication.
Beyond legal reforms, India’s corporate culture must change. Overwork should no longer be celebrated as a badge of honor but recognized as a dangerous practice that endangers lives.
Anna Sebastian’s death is a heartbreaking reminder of the cracks in India’s work culture. Her passing has exposed the urgent need for reform to protect employees’ mental health, enforce reasonable work hour and hold employers accountable for their actions.
A 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) study found that every dollar invested in mental health support yields a US$4 return in productivity, underscoring the financial and human value of these reforms.
India must evolve into a place where ambition no longer comes at the expense of mental health and where the well-being of employees is seen as essential—not expendable.
Sachi Satapathy is the director of AF Development Care, and may be reached at director@afdc.in
