In a post that has gone viral, a former Deloitte auditor has spoken out about the extreme working conditions at the Big 4 firm. His revelations come in the wake of discussions surrounding the tragic death of Anna Sebastian, a 26-year-old employee from Ernst & Young (EY) Pune, which has sparked a broader conversation on corporate work culture.
The ex-Deloitte employee described how he and his teammates endured grueling 20-hour shifts and began work at 5 a.m., sometimes running on less than 15 hours of rest. This harsh reality highlights a growing issue across the corporate world, where employees face relentless pressure without adequate breaks, leading to burnout and exhaustion
Toxic Work Environment Stories Emerge
The ex-auditor’s post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has opened a floodgate of stories. Many people have come forward, sharing similar experiences from various MNCs and big corporate houses. One user narrated how their sister, employed at a Big 4 firm, was pressured to respond to work messages while at a dentist appointment, even though it was a non-working day.
Another user commented on how they experienced a “false sense of urgency” in a previous software company. Tasks that could have been done the next morning were rushed into night-long work sessions, romanticizing the notion of staying up late to meet deadlines.
Corporate Pressure and Mental Health
The issue of corporate work culture extends beyond the Big 4. Many believe that these companies take advantage of the Indian work ethic, expecting employees to sacrifice their personal lives for the job. “Is it the fault of MNCs or Indians for accepting this?” one person wrote, questioning whether the culture could ever change.
The toxic nature of such environments not only harms physical health but also takes a mental toll. Employees are left grappling with the expectations of overwork and perfectionism, leading to feelings of inadequacy and burnout.
EY Pune Incident: A Call for Reform?
The death of Anna Sebastian has drawn attention to the severe consequences of corporate overwork. Her mother’s letter to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani accused the firm of pushing her daughter to exhaustion. As the debate around mental health and work-life balance grows, many are hoping this will serve as a wake-up call for corporations to reevaluate their workplace culture.
While it remains to be seen whether firms will make changes, the viral stories of employees speak to a wider problem — one that will continue to affect those working in high-pressure environments unless meaningful action is taken.
Credit: This article is based on information from Economic Times, Business Insider India, and LinkedIn discussions.
Summary
- A former Deloitte auditor shared how he worked 20-hour shifts, echoing toxic work culture in MNCs.
- His post followed the tragic death of an EY Pune employee, Anna Sebastian, which raised concerns about corporate pressure.
- The post sparked similar stories from others, showing that the issue extends across various industries.
- Calls for reform in work-life balance and mental health support in corporate settings have gained momentum.
