A 26-year-old chartered accountant, who was an employee of EY member firm SR Batliboi, lost her life because of work-related stress. Anna Sebastian passed away in July, four months after she started working at the firm. Sebastian died in July, four months after joining the firm.
Her parents alleged that work-related pressure played a critical role in her demise. “Workload, new environment, and long hours took a toll on her physically, emotionally, and mentally” her mother Anita Augustine wrote in a letter to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani.
In another case, a 42-year-old employee of Bajaj Finance took his life because he was unable to bear the pressure of meeting the targets imposed by his seniors at the organisation.
Toxic Work Culture in Corporates
India is a developing country with the largest population in the world. The companies across the world are looking to set up their offices in India as the country provides for much affordable labour, which in turn could help the companies increase their profits.
However, since there is plenty of labour available in the country, the employees are forced to go out of their way to please their employers, believing that they are easily replaceable. This, in turn, has led to extremely poor work-life balance among the employees. On the other hand, as the employees perform well, the companies have raised their expectations towards them, thus, further contributing to increasing stress.
Employees in India are expected to work late without expecting any financial incentive. They are expected to forgo holidays, and work even on weekends, without any consideration of their social lives. And they are not provided with enough time for self-care and mental well-being.
ICAI’s New Initiatives to promote Work-Life Balance
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has launched new initiatives to focus on addressing the critical issues of work-life balance and stress management within the profession. The organisation has established a dedicated group led by Seema Gerotra, Additional Director for Work-Life Balance and Stress Management, to implement initiatives designed to improve work-life harmony and alleviate stress for professionals.
ICAI has been organising a number of health and wellness activities, including health awareness camps, stress management webinars, yoga sessions, motivational talks, walkathons, and marathons, with an aim to fostering mental and physical well-being.
ICAI’s existing Grievance Redressal Cell handles concerns from members, students, and employees. The organisation has states that it is working towards enhancing this system to provide more structured and compassionate resolutions.
ICAI also announced plans to collaborate with health institutions to launch stress management programs, including counseling services and mental health support for members and students. Additionally, ICAI has stated that it will partner with industry stakeholders to encourage flexible working arrangements, such as remote work, flexible hours, and wellness programs, to help professionals better manage their personal and professional responsibilities.
To further support its members, ICAI is developing peer networks that allow members to share experiences, seek advice, and collaborate on addressing stress-related challenges. The institute also intends to introduce a dedicated counseling helpline through its National Call Centre (9997599975) to provide support on stress management and work-life balance.
“Employees are the cornerstone of any organization, and their well-being is crucial for its success. We urge organizations to adopt balanced work policies that promote employee health and reduce stress. By focusing on the mental and physical health of their workforce, organizations can create a more productive, resilient, and innovative environment,” said CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal, President of ICAI.
Violence in Corporate Culture
Mahatma Gandhi was a major advocate of non-violence and Ahimsa. His philosophy of non-violence was not limited to avoiding physical combat. It also included non-violence in thoughts, intentions and spirituality. The current corporate culture clearly does not adhere to this, considering the fact that there are lives being lost, and the people surviving are suffering through extreme stress, and other mental health issues. Today, on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, it is essential to take a look at the existing work culture of corporates in India, and to work towards imbibing non-violence at work to ensure the health and well being of the employees.
