The Hindu Editorial Analysis - 31st October 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Importing a toxic work culture into India 

Why in News?

Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old employee at Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune, passed away on September 9, 2023, allegedly due to a heart attack. She had recently cleared her Chartered Accountancy (CA) exams. In a letter to EY, her mother stated that Anna had appeared to be healthy, but was feeling down due to work-related stress and overwork. This tragic incident has sparked a debate about whether corporate environments are promoting a toxic work culture and highlights a growing concern over mental health and the need for work-life balance in corporate settings.  

Over Glorification of Hard Work

• Recently, especially on platforms like YouTube, the idea of hard work is often celebrated too much.
• While hard work is important, putting it on too high a pedestal can have negative effects.
• For example, it's common in the early stages of startups for people to work 18 hours a day, often leading them to eat, sleep, and work in the same place.
• N.R. Narayana Murthy, the founder of Infosys, recently suggested that young people should aim to work 70 hours a week for the sake of building the nation.
• Other entrepreneurs, including those from Ola, shared similar views, implying that such dedication is acceptable.
• However, it is now crucial to think about the working conditions of employees who are currently facing or will face such demands.

Does working more hours equate to higher productivity? 

• Long working hours can cause mental tiredness, making it hard to think clearly and work well.
• This is why some companies have started a four-day workweek.
• The main idea is that people should enjoy life, not just live to work.
• While putting in effort is important for our growing country, it needs to be balanced with smart work.
• Working harder doesn't always lead to the best results; smart work needs enough time and clear thinking.
• If someone is working 18 hours a day, how can they think creatively and critically?
• A sad example of this issue is Saurabh Kumar Laddha, an IIT and IIM graduate who worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company.
• He sadly jumped from the ninth floor, and his suicide was linked to extreme workplace pressure.
• This shows the urgent need to change how we view work and to create healthier, more sustainable work environments.
• According to data from the National Crime Bureau (NCB), there are about 50 deaths per week caused by workplace stress.

Reasons for Toxic Culture

• Long Working Hours:Many employees are often required to work extra hours, known as overtime, for which they get paid more. 
  • For instance, if the usual workweek is eight hours, numerous employees are expected to work twelve hours.
  • If they refuse, they may be told they are not loyal to the company or that they are only considering their own needs instead of the company's growth.
• Job Market Dynamics:In India, there is a large gap between the number of jobs and the people looking for them. 
  • With more individuals seeking jobs than available positions, employers often create a workplace where employees feel easily replaceable.
  • Employees are led to think they are not essential and that the company can find someone else if they do not perform well.
  • Additionally, it is often ignored that employees were hired through a proper selection process.
  • Instead, they are made to feel that they received their jobs as a favor, leading to insecurity and a sense of dependence on the company.
• Unrealistic Targets and Expectations:Workers often face targets that are not realistic, which can result in feelings of guilt when they cannot meet them. 
  • For example, companies like Byju's set admission goals that are impossible to achieve, as it is not feasible to force anyone to enroll.
  • This situation puts undue pressure on employees.

Implications of a Toxic Work Culture for Any Nation

• Health Impact: A harmful work environment can result in a major loss of skilled employees and productive hours. Many workers face serious health problems like long-term illnesses, mental health issues, suicides, and anxiety attacks. This decline in employee health negatively affects both productivity and innovation.
• Impact on National Productivity: As a result, people may find it hard to contribute effectively to the economy. The effects can differ greatly among individuals. Some may struggle to perform consistently over time, while others might not be able to work at all, even for short periods. This situation impacts not just individual earnings and quality of life but also has significant consequences for the country's overall productivity and economic growth. In a larger sense, the full potential of the nation's workforce could be reduced.

Lessons from Other Countries

• South Korea: South Korea has set a standard workweek of 40 hours. Any extra paid work is capped at 51 hours. This law is designed to help reduce excessive work hours and encourage a better work-life balance for employees. The goal is to give workers a chance to rest and take care of their mental health.
• Australia: In Australia, the "right to disconnect" policy enables employees to turn off from work after hours. When they leave the workplace, they have the option to ignore work-related calls and messages. This approach helps to create a culture that values personal time and supports a healthy work-life balance.

Conclusion

• As many Western countries take steps to ensure the well-being of their employees, India is facing some challenges.
• Recent cases, like that of Anna Sebastian, have highlighted these issues.
• The Indian government needs to focus on making changes that will improve workplace cultures.
• There is a need to address problems like long working hours and high stress levels.
• By looking at how other countries have handled these issues, India can work towards creating a healthier work environment.
•  This new environment should value employee health and productivity. 
•  Improving these aspects can help contribute to national growth and stability.