The recent death of a young Ernst & Young (EY) employee, allegedly due to excessive workload, has ignited a crucial debate in the corporate sector about managing stress and workload. Senior executives and experts are advocating for specific policies to address workplace pressures and promote employee well-being.
Demand for Specific Policies
Corporate Outbound Expert Tanmay Pendse urged the government to implement “specific policies” aimed at mitigating workplace stress. “We need to ensure employees spend quality time with their families after work, away from mobile phones,” he stated. Pendse suggested incorporating yoga sessions in organizations to help alleviate stress.
Managing Workplace Stress
Nikhil Badgujar, an Associate Consultant at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), emphasized the importance of understanding and managing stress. “Stress is an unavoidable factor in the corporate world. We must learn how to react to it,” he said, adding that everyone experiences stress differently.
Anand Kulkarni, a Process Specialist at Infosys, echoed Badgujar’s sentiments, noting that while stress is prevalent in corporate environments, the key lies in how individuals manage it. “I handle stress by enjoying my work,” he shared.
The Role of Compassion and Awareness
Author and educator Pushkar Aurangabadkar pointed to societal pressures and the “compulsive obsession for owning more” as contributors to workplace stress. He argued that compassion and spiritual wisdom could help individuals combat feelings of loneliness and pressure. “Promoting compassion can potentially reduce incidents like this,” Aurangabadkar noted.
NHRC Steps In
In response to the tragic incident, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance and issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment. The NHRC has requested a detailed report within four weeks and called on businesses to reassess their work culture and employment policies to align with global human rights standards.
The young EY employee’s mother has alleged that her daughter’s long hours at work severely impacted her health, a claim that EY has denied. The Ministry of Labour and Employment is currently investigating the matter, highlighting the urgent need for corporate reform to protect employee well-being.
