In a tragic incident that has reignited the debate on workplace stress, a young employee at Ernst & Young (EY) recently passed away, allegedly due to work-related pressure. In a heart-wrenching letter, her mother addressed the EY India CEO, expressing concern over the relentless workload that left her daughter drained, exhausted, and overwhelmed. The letter emphasised how the late nights and high expectations placed upon employees, particularly women, can severely impact mental health and personal well-being.
This tragedy has cast a spotlight on the broader issue of work-life imbalance, particularly for women in corporate environments.Coincidentally, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) recently released a report revealing that 67% of women in the workforce struggle to maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives. The report provides critical insights into the pressures women face in the modern workplace and has highlighted the urgent need for organisations to reassess their approach to employee well-being.
Key Findings from the IIMA Report
The IIMA study, which surveyed over 2,000 working women across various sectors, found that a significant number of women are facing immense difficulty in juggling their careers with family and personal responsibilities. According to the report, more than two-thirds of respondents admitted that they constantly feel torn between their professional duties and their roles at home, leading to heightened stress, burnout, and in some cases, severe health repercussions.
The findings also highlighted the role of organisational culture and the absence of support systems in exacerbating the problem. For many women, long working hours, coupled with rigid expectations from employers, leave little room for personal time, leading to feelings of isolation and frustration. This imbalance is especially prevalent among younger women, who are more likely to be entering the workforce during formative years of family-building. Here is a look at the major findings if the study:
• 67% of women report struggling with work-life balance.
• 53% of respondents indicated they feel an overwhelming sense of guilt about not spending enough time with family.
• 48% cited workplace culture as a major contributor to stress and imbalance.
• 60% of working mothers said they face pressure from both home and work, leading to mental fatigue.
• Only 22% of organisations offer flexible work hours or remote work options to help alleviate these pressures.
Supporting Women: What Companies Can Do For the Female Workforce
To reduce stress and improve work-life balance for women, companies can offer flexible work hours, remote work options, and mental health support. Providing on-site childcare, paid parental leave, and wellness programmes also helps. Encouraging a healthy work-life culture fosters productivity while reducing burnout among the female workforce. Here are a few suggestions for employers.
Implement Flexible Working Hours: Companies should introduce flexible working schedules to allow women to manage both work and family responsibilities without compromising their health. Remote work options and the freedom to choose hours based on personal circumstances can go a long way in reducing stress.
Focus on Mental Health Support: Providing professional mental health services, including counselling and stress management workshops, can empower female employees to cope with pressure and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Promote a Culture of Work-Life Balance: Organisations must foster a culture that prioritises work-life balance, not just in policies but in practice. Senior leaders should model balanced behaviour, ensuring that employees do not feel compelled to overwork or ignore personal time.
Offer Maternity and Childcare Support: Extending maternity benefits, offering childcare services, or creating a more inclusive environment for working mothers can help ease the burden on women juggling both roles.
Encourage Open Dialogue: Companies should create a safe space where women can openly discuss the challenges they face in balancing work and life without fear of judgement or career repercussions.
Last word
The tragic loss at EY is a wake-up call for corporate India. It underscores the need for meaningful change in the way companies support their female workforce, ensuring that no one has to sacrifice their health or happiness for career success. The findings from the IIMA report add further urgency to this issue, serving as a reminder that the road to work-life balance must be paved with empathy, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to employee well-being.
This tragedy has cast a spotlight on the broader issue of work-life imbalance, particularly for women in corporate environments.Coincidentally, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) recently released a report revealing that 67% of women in the workforce struggle to maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives. The report provides critical insights into the pressures women face in the modern workplace and has highlighted the urgent need for organisations to reassess their approach to employee well-being.
Key Findings from the IIMA Report
The IIMA study, which surveyed over 2,000 working women across various sectors, found that a significant number of women are facing immense difficulty in juggling their careers with family and personal responsibilities. According to the report, more than two-thirds of respondents admitted that they constantly feel torn between their professional duties and their roles at home, leading to heightened stress, burnout, and in some cases, severe health repercussions.
The findings also highlighted the role of organisational culture and the absence of support systems in exacerbating the problem. For many women, long working hours, coupled with rigid expectations from employers, leave little room for personal time, leading to feelings of isolation and frustration. This imbalance is especially prevalent among younger women, who are more likely to be entering the workforce during formative years of family-building. Here is a look at the major findings if the study:
• 67% of women report struggling with work-life balance.
• 53% of respondents indicated they feel an overwhelming sense of guilt about not spending enough time with family.
• 48% cited workplace culture as a major contributor to stress and imbalance.
• 60% of working mothers said they face pressure from both home and work, leading to mental fatigue.
• Only 22% of organisations offer flexible work hours or remote work options to help alleviate these pressures.
Supporting Women: What Companies Can Do For the Female Workforce
To reduce stress and improve work-life balance for women, companies can offer flexible work hours, remote work options, and mental health support. Providing on-site childcare, paid parental leave, and wellness programmes also helps. Encouraging a healthy work-life culture fosters productivity while reducing burnout among the female workforce. Here are a few suggestions for employers.
Implement Flexible Working Hours: Companies should introduce flexible working schedules to allow women to manage both work and family responsibilities without compromising their health. Remote work options and the freedom to choose hours based on personal circumstances can go a long way in reducing stress.
Focus on Mental Health Support: Providing professional mental health services, including counselling and stress management workshops, can empower female employees to cope with pressure and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Promote a Culture of Work-Life Balance: Organisations must foster a culture that prioritises work-life balance, not just in policies but in practice. Senior leaders should model balanced behaviour, ensuring that employees do not feel compelled to overwork or ignore personal time.
Offer Maternity and Childcare Support: Extending maternity benefits, offering childcare services, or creating a more inclusive environment for working mothers can help ease the burden on women juggling both roles.
Encourage Open Dialogue: Companies should create a safe space where women can openly discuss the challenges they face in balancing work and life without fear of judgement or career repercussions.
Last word
The tragic loss at EY is a wake-up call for corporate India. It underscores the need for meaningful change in the way companies support their female workforce, ensuring that no one has to sacrifice their health or happiness for career success. The findings from the IIMA report add further urgency to this issue, serving as a reminder that the road to work-life balance must be paved with empathy, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to employee well-being.
