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Work-Life Balance: Prioritizing Mental Health and Well-being in Corporate India

October 04, 2024

The tragic death of a 26-year-old chartered accountant, Anna Sebastian Perayil, who worked at EY in Pune, has reignited discussions about the demanding work culture faced by young professionals in India. Anna’s mother blamed her daughter’s death on excessive work stress, including long hours and tight deadlines, and called for systemic changes within the company and the industry.

 

Creating a supportive workplace that prioritises mental health can be a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent. Even if you’re already dedicated to employee well-being, it can be challenging to find practical ways to implement meaningful support. In light of the recent incident involving EY in India, it’s critical for companies to adopt robust standards to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees.

 

Below are some essential measures companies can implement:

  • Develop a Comprehensive Safety Policy: Create a clear safety policy that covers all aspects of workplace safety (including mental health) and ensure it’s communicated to all employees.
  • Set Up a Reporting Mechanism: Establish a confidential system for employees to report safety concerns, harassment, or misconduct without fear of retaliation.
  • Conduct Regular Safety Training: Provide training to all employees on workplace safety, anti-harassment policies, and appropriate conduct.
  • Regular Audits and Assessments: Conduct regular safety checks to identify risks and ensure the effectiveness of safety measures.
  • Empower HR and Legal Teams: Strengthen the role of HR and legal teams in enforcing safety policies and handling complaints.
  • Establish a Peer Support Network: Create a system where employees can get support from trained peers.
  • Address Workplace Stressors: Identify and address common stressors in the workplace to improve employee well-being.
  • Create a Healthy Physical Environment: Ensure the workplace is comfortable and conducive to mental well-being by providing adequate lighting, ventilation, and ergonomic workspaces.
  • Provide Access to Mental Health Resources: Share information about mental health resources and consider providing access to mental health apps.
  • Encourage Work-Life Balance: Promote flexible work arrangements and adequate time off to help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance.

 

Legal Framework

Indian laws, guided by the Directive Principles of State Policy, mandate that the State ensure the health and well-being of employees

  • Article 39(e) speaks about the duty of the state to provide for the good health and strength of workers at the workplace and they should not be forced to do the work. The word health includes mental health, and the word strength includes mental strength. Therefore, the state should ensure proper mental health in the workplace environment.
  • Article 41 speaks about the right to work for workers which also includes the right to stress free work.
  • Article 42 speaks about the right to work with just and Humane conditions includes the right to stress free work.

The Supreme Court case Consumer Education and Research Center v. Association of India expanded the interpretation of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution to include a broader range of rights, such as the right to a better standard of living, healthy working conditions, and opportunities to prevent employee illness and disabilities.

To achieve this, the government has enacted various laws and policies. One such law, the Employees’ State Insurance Act, provides certain employees with extended sickness benefits, including coverage for mental health conditions like psychosis.

The Supreme Court decision in Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. v. Employees State Insurance Corporation established that employers have a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of their employees by participating in the development and implementation of welfare programs. This decision highlights the role of employers in creating a conducive work environment that supports the overall development of their workforce.

Tragedies of the type suffered at E&Y are sad reminders that we not only need to prioritize the physical safety of our employees but we should also recognize that the legal framework or workplace compliance includes a much wider concept of employee well-being. Only by regularly speaking about these issues and educating our workforce do we have a real chance of changing these behaviours and creating a truly “safe” workplace.

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