HDFC Bank: Days after the tragic death of an Ernst & Young (EY) India employee due to alleged overwork, another case has emerged in Lucknow, where Sadaf Fatima, a deputy vice-president at HDFC Bank’s Vibuti Khand branch, reportedly died under similar circumstances. The incident has reignited concerns over workplace stress and the toll it takes on employees’ health.
Fatima collapsed at her workplace and was rushed to a hospital, but she was declared dead upon arrival. A postmortem is being conducted to determine the exact cause of her death.
Samajwadi Party Criticizes Work Conditions
Reacting to Fatima’s death, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav took to social media, drawing attention to the increasing pressure in both private and government jobs. Yadav compared the situation to “bonded labor,” where employees, regardless of sector, feel compelled to endure grueling work conditions without being able to voice their concerns.
He also criticised Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s recent advice to youth on stress management, calling it “heartless” and arguing that such comments further aggravate the stress felt by employees in a high-pressure work environment. Yadav urged the government to focus on improving working conditions rather than offering insensitive advice.
EY Pune Tragedy
This incident closely follows the death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, an Ernst & Young (EY) India employee in Pune, who allegedly died due to extreme overwork. Her mother’s letter highlighted the “glorification of overwork” in corporate culture, describing how Anna worked late nights and weekends as part of the audit team. Despite being new to the job, she was reportedly burdened with excessive responsibilities, leading to her physical and mental exhaustion.
The two cases have fuelled widespread criticism of workplace cultures that prioritize productivity over employee well-being, raising the question of how much pressure is too much.