A tragic incident has shaken the tech community in India as a Tamil Nadu-based software engineer, identified as Karthikeyan, electrocuted himself on Thursday. According to reports, Karthikeyan’s death was a result of depression stemming from intense work pressure. This incident comes at a time when the nation is grappling with the issue of workplace stress and mental well-being, following the death of Ernst & Young employee Anna Sebastian Perayil, who also succumbed to the pressures of her demanding job.
The Times of India reported that Karthikeyan was found dead at home by his wife after she returned from a temple. He had wrapped himself in live wires, leading to his tragic demise. Police have registered a case of unnatural death and are investigating the circumstances surrounding his passing. Prior to his death, Karthikeyan had reportedly expressed his struggles with depression due to work pressure and was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Medavakkam for the past two months.
The recent death of a 26-year-old chartered accountant from Kerala, also attributed to work-related stress, has sparked widespread outrage and ignited a nationwide conversation about the importance of work-life balance, mental health, and corporate accountability. This tragedy has led to calls for employers to prioritize the well-being of their employees and address the root causes of stress within the workplace.
“She used to cry on the phone that she could not work with so much tension and stress. We asked her to resign and come back… She decided to continue because she said that she was getting more exposure in EY. Unfortunately, on July 21, she collapsed in her room and died before reaching the hospital,” recounted the father of the young chartered accountant.
In response to the growing concern surrounding these incidents, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Friday that appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of investigations into both cases. EY has also released a statement expressing deep sorrow over Anna Sebastian Perayil’s passing.
“Be it a white collar job or any worker, whenever a citizen of the country dies, it is natural to be saddened by it. The matter is being investigated, and action will be taken based on whatever facts are revealed in the investigation,” stated the Minister of Labour and Employment, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation and accountability.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of workplace stress and the urgent need for a systemic shift in how we approach work-life balance and mental health in corporate environments. It is critical for companies to create a culture of support, understanding, and well-being for their employees, prioritizing their mental health alongside productivity and performance.
