In India today, office stress is becoming a serious issue. It’s happening everywhere, but not many people are talking about it. A 26-year-old Chartered Accountant (CA), working at a big company like Ernst & Young, came home late after a long day at work. She suddenly collapsed and died from a heart attack. She had no health problems before, just the heavy stress from her job. Even more shocking was that no one from her office came to her funeral. This tragic story shows how serious the problem of office stress is in India.
Even the finance minister of India has spoken about this problem, saying that stress management should be taught at home. But the real question is: Why is office stress such a big problem? Why aren’t people talking about it more? And what can be done to fix it?
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The Hidden Struggles Behind Office Stress
Office stress isn’t just about working long hours. It’s about a culture that believes staying late means you’re working hard. Through social media and personal stories, many people have spoken out about their experiences. From what we’ve learned, there are five main reasons why office stress is such a big problem in India.
1. Toxic Managers
It’s often said that people don’t quit bad companies—they quit bad managers. This is especially true in India, where many offices have toxic managers. These managers overload employees with work and expect them to work long hours without any respect for their personal lives. If someone leaves work on time, they’re often mocked or called lazy. The problem won’t change unless these managers realize how harmful their behavior is. India needs new managers who understand the importance of work-life balance and don’t treat their employees like machines. Without this, office stress will keep growing.
2. Favoritism and Office Politics
Favoritism is another big issue that adds to office stress. Some employees come early to the office but don’t do much work. They may just sit and play mobile games, yet they become the manager’s favorites because they stay late. It doesn’t matter how well you do your job—what matters is how long you stay in the office. In some offices, favoritism is also based on language or regional differences. There are secret WhatsApp groups where managers and a few employees share important information and get better job opportunities. This creates a toxic environment where most employees feel left out, increasing their stress
3. Gossip and Harassments
Gossip and harassment are common problems that add to office stress. People gossip about their coworkers’ personal lives, spread rumors, and even harass others. Women often face inappropriate comments, double-meaning jokes, and harassment from colleagues. If someone complains, they’re often blamed or told they’re overreacting, which creates a very uncomfortable and unsafe work environment. One person shared how his manager pressured him to drink alcohol at office parties. Those who don’t drink are labeled as ‘unsocial’ or ‘arrogant.’ The office becomes a stressful place where employees feel they must fit in or be judged
4. No Work-Life Balance
One of the biggest reasons for office stress in India is the lack of work-life balance. Work never stops, even after office hours. Many managers expect employees to be available all the time, even on weekends or during holidays. There’s no respect for personal time or boundaries. In other countries, it’s common to have separate phones for work and personal life, and employees can disconnect from work when they leave the office.
In India, however, managers often call or message employees outside of office hours, adding to their stress. Indian offices also treat employees like they’re owned by the company. Just because someone is paid a salary doesn’t mean the company controls their whole life. Employees should only be expected to work during office hours, not every minute of the day. Without a balance, office stress will continue to harm employees’ mental and physical health.
5. Burnout : The Silent Killer
Burnout is the most dangerous result of office stress. Burnout happens when someone is overworked for too long. They feel constantly exhausted, start to hate their job, and can’t focus or be productive. Many employees in India are on the verge of burnout because they’re working 12 to 15 hours a day, which has sadly become the norm. We’ve turned stress into something to be proud of.
People think that if you’re stressed, you must be important or successful. But this idea is harmful and leads to burnout. Employees who are burnt out feel anxious, depressed, and often have serious health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, or even cancer. Just like a phone battery, humans need time to recharge. But in India, even after taking a break, many employees keep thinking about work, making it impossible to fully relax. This constant pressure can lead to early diseases and even shorten life expectancy.
How to Fix Office Stress
So, how do we fix the growing problem of office stress? First, we need to realize that quality of work is more important than the number of hours spent in the office. If an employee finishes their tasks on time, they should be allowed to leave without being judged.
Second, it’s time to address the issue of toxic management. Managers need to be trained to understand how their behavior affects employees. Work-life balance should be prioritized, and managers must realize that overworking employees will hurt productivity in the long run.
Another important step is reducing gossip and favoritism. Employees should be valued for their work, not how long they stay at the office or their personal relationships with managers. Creating a transparent and fair office environment can reduce the unnecessary stress many employees face.
Finally, we must prevent burnout by setting clear boundaries between work and personal life. Employees should be able to disconnect from work when they leave the office. They also need to focus on their physical health, get enough sleep, and spend time with friends and family—what we call the ‘three goalkeepers’ of life. These are the things that help prevent burnout and keep office stress under control.
A Call for Change
If we don’t make these changes soon, the issue of office stress will only get worse. We must stop seeing stress as a sign of success and start promoting work-life balance, health, and happiness in the workplace.
If you’re feeling trapped in a stressful job, remember that you’re not alone. Many people are going through the same struggles. By speaking up and sharing your experiences, we can bring attention to these problems and work towards a better future for everyone.
It’s time to rethink how we work in India. We need to stop wearing stress as a badge of honor and start focusing on creating a work culture that values people’s well-being. Let’s come together to tackle office stress and build a healthier, happier work environment for the future.
