The issue of excessive work pressure and layoffs is becoming increasingly concerning across various industries. Many professionals feel compelled to overexert themselves to secure their jobs, which often leads to a detrimental impact on their work-life balance and overall health.
A tragic case that highlights these challenges is that of Ana Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant at EY in Pune, who reportedly passed away due to work-related stress. Her mother’s letter attributing her death to excessive work pressure has ignited a nationwide debate about workplace conditions in India.
The international Labour Organization (ILO) has released a report that adds to this conversation, revealing alarming statistics about working hours in major economies. In india, despite official working hours typically set at 8 to 10 hours a day, many employees find themselves working significantly longer. The absence of stringent oversight on break times, workload management, and after-hours work exacerbates the problem, resulting in burnout and health issues.
According to the ILO, india leads the world in average weekly working hours among the ten largest economies:
India: 46.7 hours
China: 46.1 hours
Brazil: 39 hours
United States: 38 hours
Japan: 36.6 hours
Italy: 36.3 hours
United Kingdom: 35.9 hours
France: 35.9 hours
Germany: 34.2 hours
Canada: 32.1 hours
This data underscores the urgent need for healthier work environments and better employee well-being. As workloads increase—often due to a reduced workforce—companies must prioritize not only regulated office hours but also comprehensive management of employee workloads to foster a healthier work culture.
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