Ex-HCL CEO’s open letter on 26-yr-old Ernst & Young employee's death

Former HCL CEO Vineet Nayar has recently commented on the tragic death of a 26-year-old chartered accountant in Pune. In a detailed post on LinkedIn, Nayar went on to emphasize the urgent need for business leaders to address the pressing issue of overworking professionals, which is often overlooked under the guise of training and professional development.

"Although hard work is essential, extreme hours should not become standard. The World Health Organization links long working hours to a 35% increased risk of stroke and a 17% higher risk of heart disease," he wrote on LinkedIn. "This prevalent pattern sees young professionals working tirelessly for weeks or months without a break, fostering a toxic culture where exhaustion is celebrated and well-being is ignored."

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/vineetnayar_dear-business-leaders-the-recent-tragic-activity-7242129064088498176-lRLG?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop Exploitation of young employees

Across industries, young professionals are often overworked and expected to put in extreme hours under the pretense of training or preparation for the real world. While hard work is essential for professional growth, the former CEO remarked that the normalization of excessive work hours can lead to a toxic culture where exhaustion is celebrated, and employee well-being is ignored. This prevalent pattern of overworking young employees can have detrimental effects on their mental and physical health.

The tragic case of the 26-year-old EY employee

The recent death of a 26-year-old chartered accountant, Anna Sebastian Perayil, who was working at Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune, sheds light on the serious consequences of workplace exploitation. Perayil's mother has criticized the firm for promoting excessive work and highlighted the sharp contrast between the company's human rights values and her daughter's horrible experience. This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for companies to prioritize employee well-being over short-term gains.

Role of business leaders in addressing exploitation

Vineet Nayar emphasized that business leaders must take proactive measures to audit work environments and rectify harmful practices that exploit young employees. Companies should provide supporting resources such as rest areas, meals, mental health support, and mandatory time off when long hours are necessary. Nayar cited a 2019 Gallup study showing that burnout not only affects employee well-being but also reduces productivity by 63%, making it imperative for companies to prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term gains.

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Empowering HR for employee well-being

Nayar also stressed the crucial role of HR departments in ensuring employee well-being within organizations. Despite employee concerns being a part of their job, HR departments often overlook or fail to respond to signs of burnout among employees. Studies show that a significant percentage of employees experience workplace stress, indicating the importance of empowering HR to intervene early and support employee well-being.

Business leaders must prioritize employee well-being

The future success of any company depends on its treatment of its people, according to Vineet Nayar. Business leaders must shift their focus from solely measuring success based on financial performance to also considering the health and happiness of their employees.

Research indicates that when employee well-being improves, organizational success follows suit. Failure to address issues of exploitation and burnout can lead to declining performance and perpetuate a harmful system.

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