A Mother’s Heartfelt Plea: The Toll of Overwork

By Subaashinee Kupusamy,

28 SEPTEMBER: In a tragic incident, 26-year-old Chartered Accountant Anna Augustine passed away, leaving behind grieving parents. Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, believes her daughter’s relentless work stress contributed to her untimely death.

Working at a multinational corporation, Anna faced long hours, sleepless nights, and constant pressure. Despite her health deteriorating, she was unable to take leave, overwhelmed by the unrealistic demands of her job.Anita recalls how Anna, filled with dreams and dedication, was worn down by the toxic work culture that glorified overworking.

Even after a health scare, she felt compelled to return to work, as her managers constantly piled on more tasks. Anita’s letter highlights how young professionals, like Anna, are pushed beyond their limits in a corporate culture that prizes productivity over well-being.

This heart-breaking story serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for companies to re-evaluate their work environments, prioritizing employee health to prevent such tragedies. Anna’s life and death should be a wake-up call to reform toxic workplace practices that put profits over people as stated in Astro Ulagam.