Navigating the Tightrope

In July 2024, the tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old Ernst & Young (EY) employee, reignited conversations around toxic work culture in corporate India. Despite working for just four months in her role, Anna succumbed to a combination of overwork, stress, and physical health deterioration. Her passing is a stark reminder of the consequences of glorifying overwork, especially for young professionals trying to prove their worth in competitive industries. As individuals and companies grapple with the idea of work-life balance, it is evident that the solution lies not in eliminating work pressures but in learning how to cope with them while maintaining mental and physical health.

A Modern Fable of the Overworked Employee

Imagine Sarah, a bright, young graduate who has just landed her dream job at a top consulting firm. Sarah, much like Anna, is full of ambition, eager to make her mark and move up the corporate ladder. At first, the excitement of work is thrilling. She stays late to meet deadlines, skips weekends, and answers emails during dinner, all in the name of proving her dedication. But soon, the demands pile up. The workload becomes overwhelming, and Sarah starts feeling the toll on her health. Sleepless nights turn into constant fatigue, and her once-strong enthusiasm fades into a sense of dread.

Sarah’s story is fictional, but it mirrors the real challenges faced by countless professionals today. In today’s fast-paced work environments, ambition is often mistaken for endurance, and the ability to keep working long hours is seen as a mark of strength. However, as in Anna’s case, this mindset is neither sustainable nor healthy. It only leads to burnout, exhaustion, and, in extreme cases, tragic outcomes.

The Numbers Behind the Pressure

The statistics speak for themselves. In India, over 51% of the workforce logs more than 49 hours a week, one of the highest rates globally. This excessive workload is especially prevalent in industries like consulting, finance, and tech, where professionals are often expected to go above and beyond, sacrificing personal time for the company’s bottom line. Yet research consistently shows that overwork does not equate to better productivity. Studies by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveal that working more than 55 hours a week significantly increases the risk of health issues, including strokes and heart disease​.

In high-pressure environments, the line between dedication and self-sacrifice has blurred. But working longer hours does not guarantee better results. In fact, excessive hours can reduce productivity, stifle creativity, and lead to poor decision-making. The human body and mind are not designed to operate under constant pressure without adequate rest. As the death of Anna Sebastian highlights, the cost of glorifying overwork can be devastating.

A Story of Balance: Work in the Field

In one particular project, I worked on researching rural tourism and sustainable development in Jammu and Kashmir, juggling various academic, policy, and social initiatives at the same time. During these field trips, I interacted with tribal leaders in remote areas, sometimes traveling for hours before heading back to manage pressing matters on other fronts. The workload was heavy, but I soon realized that pushing myself without pause would harm not only my health but also the quality of my work.

In Sarah’s case, her manager failed to recognize the warning signs. Rather than encouraging her to take necessary breaks or manage her workload better, her manager continued assigning tasks, feeding into a culture where working late nights and sacrificing weekends was the norm. In contrast, during my own demanding projects, I found it essential to pause and recalibrate, understanding that rest is not a luxury but a necessity for sustained performance.

The Corporate Conundrum: Can the System Change?

Corporate organizations are increasingly aware of the need for balance, yet the reality on the ground often falls short of meaningful change. Following public outrage over Anna Sebastian’s death, companies like Deloitte and PwC introduced new wellness initiatives. Deloitte, for instance, launched the "Back Benchers" initiative, giving employees time off to focus on people-centric policies. PwC employed AI tools to monitor employee well-being and introduced confidential counseling services for staff. While these efforts reflect positive shifts, they are often seen as band-aid solutions rather than addressing the root problem.

The real challenge lies in changing corporate culture. Many companies continue to reward overwork and equate long hours with dedication. Employees like Sarah feel pressured to stay late, waiting for their seniors to leave, believing that visible effort is more important than meaningful contribution. Yet, as research shows, this mentality stifles innovation and creativity. True productivity comes from allowing employees the freedom to rest, recharge, and think critically.

Coping Mechanisms: Reclaiming Balance

Work pressures are inevitable, but that does not mean individuals are powerless. The key to thriving in high-pressure environments lies in developing effective coping mechanisms. Here are some critical strategies:

1. Setting Boundaries

In today's work culture, boundaries are not a luxury but a necessity. Whether it's turning off email notifications after work or declining unreasonable demands, setting clear boundaries ensures that work does not spill into personal time. During my field research, I learned to time-block—allocating specific hours for work and specific hours for rest. By sticking to this routine, I was able to manage multiple projects without overwhelming myself.

2. Prioritization and Delegation

Not everything is equally important. The Eisenhower Matrix—a prioritization tool that separates tasks into categories of urgency and importance—helps professionals focus on what truly matters. I applied this strategy during my research on sustainable waste management in Jammu and Kashmir. By focusing on the most critical tasks, I could deliver quality work without feeling overwhelmed by the volume of responsibilities.

3. Mental and Physical Well-being

Maintaining mental and physical health is essential for long-term success. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices, such as meditation, can significantly reduce stress. Many companies now offer employee assistance programs (EAPs), which provide counseling services and wellness initiatives to help employees manage stress and burnout​

A Call for Sustainable Success

The tragic story of Anna Sebastian serves as a wake-up call to individuals and companies alike: more work does not mean better work. Sustainable success is not about who can endure the longest hours, but about who can maintain a balance between work and personal well-being.

Through my experiences researching across Jammu and Kashmir, and balancing personal commitments with professional obligations, I have come to understand that balance is the key to long-term productivity. This principle applies not just to policy work, but to every sector and every individual. The pursuit of excellence should not come at the cost of one's health or happiness.

For the countless professionals, like Sarah and Anna, navigating the tightrope between career success and personal well-being, it's time to redefine what it means to succeed. True success is not measured by hours logged, but by a life lived in balance.

Arhan Bagati is a prominent figure in social work and public policy, focusing on the development of Jammu & Kashmir, currently at Harvard, pursuing a Master's in Public Policy. Arhan’s leadership extends beyond academia, particularly through his role as the Awareness and Impact Ambassador for the Paralympic Committee of India, and as the founder of KYARI, which addresses critical issues in Kashmir, from education to sustainable development​.