Workplace stress in India: The unseen toll on employees
The mental health crisis behind India’s corporate burnout
Recent comments from Indian industry leaders like S N Subramanian and Bhavish Aggarwal, advocating for longer working hours, have sparked debate. Their stance contrasts sharply with global trends prioritising work-life balance and employee well-being. While India's work culture remains entrenched in long hours and stress, countries like Sweden, Germany, and Japan are moving towards more balanced approaches.
Recently, S N Subramanian, the Chairperson of L&T, stirred controversy with his comments on working hours and work pressure, a topic that has been widely discussed both in India and globally.
In an interview, Subramanian expressed a wish that he could make employees work 90 hours a week, even suggesting that they should work on Sundays rather than “staring at their wives” at home.
This remark echoed similar comments made by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy in October 2023, when he proposed that young people should work 70 hours a week.
Another industry leader, Bhavish Aggarwal, the 38-year-old CEO of Ola, took this notion further by dismissing weekends as “Western concepts” and advocating for working every single day.
Both leaders’ comments have faced strong criticism from employees and other industry figures. After Subramanian’s comments, Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone and Emcure Pharmaceuticals’ executive director Namita Thapar also voiced their disapproval on social media and in interviews, emphasising the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and highlighting the mental health implications of such demanding work expectations.
These statements have sparked a wider debate on the need to prioritise employee well-being and rethink traditional work culture in today’s fast-paced world.
India on path to burnout
India’s work culture remains entrenched in long hours and high-pressure environments. The country’s corporate landscape, particularly in sectors like IT, finance, and manufacturing, is often associated with “toxic” work cultures where long hours are the norm, and employees are expected to be constantly available, often at the expense of personal health and well-being.
The lack of clear boundaries between work and personal life leads to high levels of stress, burnout, and a sense of constant pressure to perform.
“Long working hours in demanding work environments frequently result in considerable psychological repercussions for employees. Commonly encountered issues include burnout, which is marked by emotional fatigue, depersonalisation, and a diminished sense of achievement. Chronic stress, stemming from unrelenting demands, often presents with physical symptoms such as headaches, high blood pressure, and gastrointestinal issues, in addition to mental health challenges like anxiety and irritability,” Archana Sharma, a clinical psychologist tells Media India Group.
“Sleep disturbances are also common, as irregular or inadequate sleep hampers cognitive and emotional regulation. Employees frequently express diminished job satisfaction, feeling overburdened and unappreciated, which can contribute to mental health issues such as depression and feelings of helplessness. Furthermore, extended working hours can strain personal relationships, leaving minimal time for family and friends, potentially resulting in isolation and conflict,” she adds.
In July 2024, a 26-year-old consultant working in consultancy firm EY died by suicide blaming her decision on the constant work stress and the rat race of success.
Her death sparked national outrage and the government intervened, launching an investigation on EY. The accounting firm denied the allegations of promoting a toxic and overwhelming work culture, sadly, nothing concrete came out of the investigation.
The unfortunate incident also brought forth the toxic realities of work culture in a plethora of industries and companies in India.
After the case came into limelight, many corporate sector employees came out with their own stories of overwhelming anxiety and stress pertaining to extreme workload, erratic working hours, unprofessional behaviour at the workplace and cut-throat competition.
Several studies and research reports have also highlighted the growing concerns around work-related stress and its impact on employees’ mental health in India. Polling company Gallup released a report in June 2024, on workplace that indicated that nearly 90 pc of Indian employees were experiencing work-related stress, with over 40 pc feeling consistently sad.
The Financial Express, a business newspaper, notes that 70 pc of employees are dissatisfied with their work, and 54 pc are considering quitting. The Annual Work Trend Index by Microsoft India reveals that 57 pc of employees feel overburdened, while the FICCI Innovation Summit 2024 reports that 58 pc of employees are facing high levels of burnout.
Additionally, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals that 41 pc of suicides in India are committed by individuals under 30.
Another recent tragedy that highlighted the gravity of this issue was the death of 25-year-old Saurabh Kumar Ladda, a promising McKinsey employee with degrees from IIT and IIM, who took his own life due to workplace pressure, as per authorities.
World progressing towards a healthy work-life
In stark contrast to India’s work culture, criticised for its long hours, high stress, and lack of boundaries between personal and professional life, various nations across the globe, are embracing trends that prioritise employee well-being, work-life balance, and overall productivity. These shifts are especially evident in regions such as Sweden, Germany, Japan, Belgium, and the Netherlands, where innovative work policies are making waves.
“I think Sweden and Germany do offer a good approach. I think Japan now moving on to a model where 4-day work week would be a thing is interesting to notice because for Japan, the idea comes from giving people time to focus on themselves and combat the declining birth rate,” says Rishabh Sachdeva, a research analyst based in Delhi.
In Germany, work culture places a significant emphasis on structured processes, high-quality standards, and clearly defined boundaries between work and personal life, known as the “Feierabend” culture. This tradition of separating work from personal time ensures that employees can fully disconnect from work after hours, promoting well-being and preventing burnout. The country’s strong economy, particularly in sectors like automobile, is built on this balance, where skilled workers are valued for both their expertise and their ability to manage work-life equilibrium.
Sweden offers another fascinating model, which is renowned for its collaborative, egalitarian approach. Here, there is a focus on creating a supportive work environment that nurtures employee health and happiness. Sweden has long been a leader in offering flexible work hours, generous parental leave, and a healthy work-life integration that boosts both personal and professional satisfaction.
Even Japan, traditionally known for its demanding work culture, is shifting towards a more balanced approach. Tokyo government has announced plans to introduce a four-day work week by April 2025, marking a significant departure from Japan’s historically gruelling work schedule. This initiative is particularly aimed at supporting women by giving them more time for family and personal commitments.
Similarly, in the Netherlands, part-time work and flexible schedules have long been the norm, with many employees benefiting from shorter work weeks and a culture that emphasizes personal time.
“The culture within a workplace is crucial in influencing an employee’s capacity to manage stress and sustain a healthy work-life balance. Supportive cultures promote open communication, collaboration, and support networks, empowering employees to handle stress more effectively. Flexible work arrangements are also beneficial in this regard,” says Sharma.
Comparing these global practices with India’s current scenario highlights a glaring contrast. While numerous nations are leading the charge in redefining the future of work by promoting healthier, more flexible, and employee-centric cultures, India still faces significant challenges in shifting away from a culture of overwork.