The Rising Epidemic Of Work Stress: A Wake-Up Call For Corporate India

In a tragic incident that has brought attention to the growing issue of work-related stress in India, a 26-year-old employee at a consulting firm in Pune recently passed away, allegedly due to the pressures of her job. Having started her career at the firm just four months ago, this young woman’s untimely death is a stark reminder of how unchecked work stress, particularly in high-pressure environments, can lead to devastating outcomes.

The deceased's mother revealed that her daughter had been facing anxiety, sleeplessness, and high levels of stress almost immediately after joining the company. This case makes us wonder if high demands of her role, combined with inadequate support systems for mental health, were part of what could become overwhelming for anyone in her place. This incident exposes a systemic problem in corporate India: the failure to address work stress, wellness and mental health in the workplace.

The High Cost of Ignoring Work Stress

Work stress is not a new phenomenon, but its impact on health has grown more alarming as the pace and intensity of corporate life have accelerated. In an article in Mint, the founder of Gytree talks about the biggest epidemic among women in India - of fatigue and tiredness. 

“We set up Gytree as an outcome of understanding that while women have many issues or pain points, their biggest pain point is that they are almost always tired,” says Shaili Chopra to the Mint. 

In India, a culture of overwork is often glorified as a sign of dedication and ambition. However, this mindset, coupled with poor health programs, has severe consequences for employees. 

“My organisation has a lot of benefits like insurance, some medical app but nearly no one in the company wants to use them because none of them caters to women’s fatigue and productivity issues,” says a Gurgaon-based employee working in an American multi-national company. “The challenge is companies want to tick mark the offering but why do we need offerings that cater only to pregnancy and hospitalisation?” 

This employee is not alone. But let’s take a look at prolonged exposure to work stress and how that can lead to severe physical and mental health issues, including:

• Anxiety and Depression: Many employees, like the 26-year-old from EY Pune, suffer from anxiety and mental health challenges due to the constant pressure to perform.

• Insomnia and Fatigue: Sleeplessness and chronic fatigue are common among professionals in high-stress jobs, reducing their ability to concentrate and making them more prone to errors.

• Cardiovascular Problems: Stress is a significant contributor to high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes, which are becoming increasingly common among younger workers.

• Weakened Immunity: Continuous stress can compromise the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to illnesses.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India has one of the highest rates of depression and anxiety in the world, and workplace stress is a significant contributor. Yet, mental health remains stigmatized, and many employees fear that seeking help may be seen as a sign of weakness or incompetence.

Young professionals, in particular, are vulnerable as they enter the workforce with high expectations of career growth but are often ill-prepared for the reality of intense work environments. In the case of the EY Pune employee, her mother’s account of her daughter’s experience paints a picture of a talented young woman who felt pressured to push through her struggles, believing that success would come from enduring the stress. Unfortunately, without proper wellness support monitoring fatigue and emotional health, this stress can quickly become overwhelming.

Why Corporate India Needs to Step Up

Work stress is not just an individual problem—it is a corporate responsibility. Employers must recognize that the mental and physical well-being of their employees is crucial to long-term success. Yet, many companies in India fail to implement effective health programs to mitigate the risks associated with work-related stress. Here’s why change is urgently needed:

1. Lack of Mental Health Support

• Absence of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Many Indian companies still lack formal mental health support programs, such as EAPs, which provide employees with counselling, therapy, and stress management resources. Employees using app-based solutions or AI-based solutions remain underwhelmed by the efficacy

• Stigma Around Mental Health: Even in companies where such services exist, employees are often reluctant to use them due to the stigma associated with mental health issues. They fear being labelled as weak or unfit for the job.

• Inadequate Training for Managers: Managers are often unequipped to identify signs of burnout or mental distress among their teams, further compounding the problem.