Hyderabad: Expert calls for IT policy overhaul to tackle hazardous work conditions

Hyderabad: City-based IT professional and socio-political activist Shashidhar Vuppala has underscored the need for policy changes to address workplace conditions that are endangering the well-being of employees in the IT, ITES and private sectors, which has reached an extreme level that demands immediate intervention.

Shasidhar Vuppala wrote a letter to Union labour minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya highlighting the plight of the employees of IT, ITES and the private sector.

‘Poor work-life balance’

In his letter, Shasidhar said, “We have witnessed the rapid evolution of the digital landscape that has indeed created numerous opportunities. It has also equally led to significant challenges for employees in these sectors. Many individuals often face job insecurity, excessive work pressure, inadequate support systems and poor work-life balance which are resulting in a deteriorating work environment.”

He added, “It is evident that we are also seeing numerous reports of employees across various industries facing overwhelming workloads, unreasonable deadlines and excessive work hours, all of which have contributed to extreme stress and, in the most heartbreaking cases, fatal consequences.”

Shashidhar said there are only a few tragic incidents that came to light highlighted the dangerous and often fatal consequences of overwork, exacerbated by a corporate culture that values productivity over well-being. The lack of proper regulations and enforcement of work-life balance measures places employees at constant risk, leading to burnout, severe mental health issues, and, tragically, death.

Central law for job security, employee assistance programs

The Ministry of Labour & Employment needs to establish the following on a war footing that includes clearer regulations around job security and severance packages, promote, and campaign mental health awareness programs and initiatives and offer employee assistance programs.

Apart from that it also should advocate and champion for fair compensation practices and better labour rights protection, invest in skill development programs that are accessible to all employees regardless of rank, grade and file, the IT professional said.

Below are some critical recommendations for overall policy changes:

Enforce mandatory work-hour regulations: Kindly ensure that organisations, and private sector employers adhere to strict work policies that prevent excessive overtime and ensure regular breaks for employees. Conduct several spot checks around the same to understand the real-time situation.

Promote mental health support: Instruct the employers to extend and offer mental health care services and create a supportive environment where employees can speak up about stress without fear of repercussion. Appoint a special officer to oversee the grievances registered.

In the era of transformation, technological revolution, the relentless demands of project deadlines, long working hours, and the pressure to perform have contributed to rising stress levels and mental health issues among employees.

Implement corporate accountability: Make sure employers are held accountable for creating a workplace culture that promotes good work culture, and work-life balance, and offers all means of support for the well-being of their employees over profits, margins and productivity.

Job security: In recent times, many IT and ITES employees are facing job insecurity due to the growing trend of layoffs and contract terminations, often without adequate notice or severance. This situation has left countless families in distress, uncertain about their financial futures. Amend and incorporate the labour law that speaks and directs employers to pay proper severance pay in case of job loss for any given reason and ensure a legal provision to employees seeking the same.

Inadequate compensation: While the cost of living continues to rise, many employees feel that their salaries do not reflect their contributions or the increasing demands of their roles. A fair and transparent compensation structure is essential for employee satisfaction and retention.

Unfortunately, the harsh reality is most of the graduates who are spending lakhs on their technical education are ending up with salaries which are under their standards. A special regulatory body to conduct market research and study to define the baseline salary will help to address the issue.

Lack of labour rights: Employees in the private sector often find themselves without adequate protection of their rights. This includes issues related to overtime pay, benefits, and safe working conditions. There is a pressing need for the Union Ministry of Labor Department to educate and empower the workforce on labour laws and their enforcement that protect the rights of all workers.

Skill development opportunities: As the industry evolves, technology booms, continuous learning and skill upgradation is crucial. However, many employees lack access to upskilling programs and resources that would enable them to adapt to new technologies and maintain their employability. The Government should also direct the employers to spend a definite amount for each employee for the development of his/her learning capabilities.

Several well-documented incidents explain the grave nature of workplace issues over the last decade.

- Mita Diran (2013) - An advertising copywriter from Indonesia, who tragically passed away after working for 30 hours straight. Her death sparked conversations globally about the dangers of overworking.

- Moritz Erhardt (2013) - A 21-year-old intern at a London investment bank, who passed away after reportedly working for 72 hours without proper rest. This incident brought international attention to the gruelling expectations in high-pressure sectors.

- Suzuki Matsuri (2015) - A 24-year-old Japanese employee of Dentsu, a major advertising agency, who took her own life after chronic overwork. Her case resulted in a public outcry in Japan about ‘karoshi’ (death by overwork).

- EY Employee Case (2024) - In a more recent incident, an Ernst & Young (EY) employee reportedly suffered from severe mental and physical health issues due to relentless work pressure, resulting in tragic consequences. It again emphasises the urgent need for reforms and policy changes.