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Work Culture
Context:
With reference to the death of a young Chartered Accountant who had recently joined EY, the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasised the need for colleges and universities to offer stress management lessons to help students build inner strength.
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- Anna Sebastian Perayil, a Chartered Accountant who passed her exams in 2023 and had been working at EY’s Pune office for four months, passed away in July.
- According to a letter her mother wrote to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani, Perayil had been overworked with a “backbreaking” load that took a toll on her physically, emotionally, and mentally.
The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), particularly Article 24, states, “Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.”
Causes of Workplace Stress
- High Workloads: Many professionals face overwhelming workloads that can lead to burnout.
- Long Hours: The culture of long working hours, especially in competitive fields like finance, contributes significantly to stress levels. Employees often feel compelled to work overtime to meet expectations.
- The culture of long working hours in India, particularly highlighted by the comments of Infosys founder Narayana Murthy’s call for young Indians to work 70 hours a week has sparked widespread debate.
- Lack of Support: Insufficient support from management and colleagues can exacerbate feelings of isolation and stress. Employees may not feel comfortable discussing their mental health challenges.
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), of which the deceased woman was likely a member, has neither issued a statement of regret nor offered any guidance to member firms on fostering a healthier work culture.
- Unclear Expectations: Ambiguity regarding job roles and performance expectations can create anxiety among employees, leading to stress and decreased job satisfaction.
Implications
Physical Health Issues:
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- Chronic Health Conditions: Stress is linked to 70% of doctor visits and is associated with increased susceptibility to illnesses due to a weakened immune system .
- Physical Symptoms: Employees may experience headaches, muscle tension, digestive issues, and sleep disturbances, which can further impair their ability to perform effectively
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Mental Health Challenges:
- Increased Anxiety and Depression: Approximately 38% of U.S. employees report cognitive weariness, while many experience emotional exhaustion leading to burnout .
- Cognitive Impairment: Stress can impair concentration, decision-making abilities, and memory, resulting in decreased productivity and increased errors in work .
Decreased Job Satisfaction:
- Low Morale: A toxic work environment characterised by stress can lead to low employee morale and job dissatisfaction.
- Withdrawal from Work: High levels of stress often lead employees to withdraw from social interactions at work, further isolating them and compounding feelings of dissatisfaction .
Impact on Organisational Performance:
- Reduced Productivity: Stress negatively affects overall organisational performance, leading to decreased productivity and efficiency.
- Increased Turnover Rates: This results in additional costs related to recruitment and training new hires .
- Higher Absenteeism Rates: Stress-related health issues contribute to increased absenteeism, as employees take time off to manage their physical or mental health problems.
- Cost to Organisations: The financial impact of workplace stress is significant, costing businesses billions annually due to lost productivity, increased healthcare expenses, and high turnover rates .
Way Forward
- Incorporating Mental Health Education: Educational institutions should integrate mental health education into their curricula, equipping students with tools for managing stress before they enter the workforce.
- Inspiration could be drawn from Australia and European nations, where workers have the right to disconnect after working hours.
- Building Supportive Cultures: Organisations must prioritise creating a culture where discussing mental health is normalised, reducing stigma and encouraging employees to seek help when needed.
- Google is well-known for its flexible work policies, allowing employees to choose their work hours and locations.
- Regular Assessments: Companies should conduct regular assessments of employee well-being and stress levels through surveys or feedback mechanisms to identify areas for improvement.
- Collaboration with Mental Health Professionals: Businesses should collaborate with mental health professionals to design effective programs tailored to their specific workforce needs.
- Salesforce prioritises employee well-being through initiatives like “Ohana Culture,” which emphasises family and community support. They offer mental health resources and wellness reimbursement programs.
- Leadership Commitment: Leadership must demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being by actively participating in wellness initiatives and modelling healthy work-life balance behaviours.
- Promoting Work-Life Balance: Initiatives like mandatory time off, no-meeting days, and encouraging employees to take breaks are being adopted to reduce stress levels.
- The International Labour Organisation (ILO), whose 2023 report on work-life balance notes that the number of hours worked and how they are structured can significantly affect both job quality and life outside of work.
