Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old employee of the multinational consulting firm Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune died due to work stress, her mother alleges. In a letter addressed to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani, Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine said that ‘the workload, new environment, and long hours took a toll’ on Anna ‘physically, emotionally, and mentally’.

Anna’s mother in the letter wrote, “Anna confided in us about the overwhelming workload, especially the additional tasks assigned verbally, beyond the official work. I would tell her not to take on such tasks, but the managers were relentless. She worked late into the night, even on weekends, with no opportunity to catch her breath. Her assistant manager once called her at night with a task that needed to be completed by the next morning, leaving her with barely any time to rest and recover. When she voiced her concerns, she was met with the dismissive response, ‘You can work at night; that’s what we all do.’”

In the letter, she added. “Anna’s death should serve as a wake-up call for EY. It is time to reflect on the work culture within your organization and take meaningful steps to prioritize the health and wellness of your employees. This means creating an environment where employees feel safe to speak up, where they are supported in managing their workload, and where their mental and physical well-being is not sacrificed for the sake of productivity.”

The hustle culture and work stress often take a toll on employees’ health and mental well-being. Here, take a look at how overworking can take a toll on your overall health.

Overworking raises cortisol which is the body’s stress hormone, thereby, leading to chronic stress. This can result in anxiety, irritability and decreased productivity, making it difficult to relax.

Extended working hours can reduce the time for rest, thereby, disrupting sleep patterns. Poor sleep also weakens the immune system, impairs cognitive function and increases the risk of mental health disorders like depression.

When you’re constantly engaged in work without adequate breaks, it leads to burnout. Mental fatigue can also result in poor decision-making, a lack of creativity and an inability to focus on tasks.

Overworking is linked to issues like headaches, back pain and eye strain, especially for those with sedentary jobs. Also, it can increase the risk of heart disease, hypertension and stroke due to prolonged physical inactivity.

Chronic overwork can also weaken your immune system, thereby, making you more susceptible to illnesses like colds and infections. Prolonged stress can also impair your body’s ability to recover.

When you have a busy work schedule, it leads to irregular eating habits, reliance on fast food and mindless snacking. This can lead to weight gain, digestive issues and a lack of essential nutrients in your diet.

When you overwork, it reduces the time you spend with friends and family, which causes feelings of isolation. This can also have a negative impact on your emotional well-being as these social connections are important for reducing stress and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Times Now reached out to EY for the comment, however, the company hasn’t responded yet.

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