The importance of saying no in the office

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. The recent death of a 26-year-old Ernst & Young (EY) employee has raised concerns about the toxic work culture in the corporate world. In an emotional note to the EY chairperson, the deceased’s mother highlighted how “the workload, new environment and long hours" took a toll on her daughter’s physical, emotional and mental health.

“Anna was a young professional, just starting her career. Like many in her position, she did not have the experience or the agency to draw boundaries or push back against unreasonable demands. She did not know how to say no," read the letter posted on LinkedIn.

Long working hours are increasingly becoming a part of professional life. Mumbai-based Pankaj Dwivedi, a former sales professional at a multinational, for instance, quit his job two years ago after a severe case of burnout. A typical day at work would last “16-17 hours and the concept of weekends didn’t exist because sudden calls from managers assigning work became a norm," says Dwivedi, 36.

“I pushed myself for five years but my body couldn’t handle the pressure any further. I developed a gastrointestinal disease because of skipping meals and then stuffing myself with large portions at night. My mental health was in shambles, with a therapist diagnosing high- functioning anxiety." At present, Dwivedi works as a consultant.

The McKinsey Health Institute conducted a survey in 2022 that included nearly 15,000 employees and 1,000 HR professionals spread across 15 countries, including India, Japan, Australia and China. One in four employees was facing burnout; in Asia, the figure was one in three, the survey concluded. The findings suggested that Indian employees expressed elevated rates of burnout,