Career Success—But at What Cost?

Career Success—But at What Cost?

The tragic news of a 26-year-old employee Anna losing her life due to work stress has really shaken me, and it should shake everyone. This isn't just an isolated incident—it’s a reflection of the toxic work cultures that we’ve somehow normalised. Environments where employees are expected to work more while being paid less, squeezing out every bit of their energy with overtime, excessive workloads, working on days off—all under the guise of “progress” or “learning.” But at what cost?

This should be a wake-up call for everyone and every organisation out there. Many have so-called ‘policies’ that are just written down and kept safe in a folder. And when people leave, the reason is always labelled as “personal problems.” But What exactly are these personal problems? No one ever explains that further. It’s easier to slap “personal problems” on an exit report than to admit that the work culture is toxic. Why? To save the concerned department’s reputation? To avoid blame on the organisation? To cover the failure to manage people? The truth is, it’s not personal problems—it’s the work environment that’s driving people away.

It’s also equally important to understand that not all organisations are to blame. There are many that respect boundaries, value work-life balance, and genuinely care about their employees. But we need to recognise when the line is being crossed, when exceptional overwork becomes the norm rather than the exception. There’s nothing wrong with pushing hard for a deadline once in a while, but when it turns into a routine, that’s when you need to take a step back and evaluate if this is sustainable for your long run.

One more thing that stands out to me is how employees are often set up for failure by being handed unreasonable tasks with impossible deadlines. When those deadlines aren’t met, they’re labeled as ‘underperforming.’ This creates a spiral of stress, self-doubt, and anxiety. I’ve seen this happen to so many—people feeling like they’re not good enough, like they’re falling behind in this endless race to ‘prove themselves’. In these kind of cases, people even fail to visualise a clear vision ladder of growth within the organisation. Instead of understanding where their hard work is leading them, they find themselves running in loop, chasing deadlines without seeing the bigger picture of their career progression. Without a clear path forward, the pressure only increases, and that can be devastating.

And then there are the Sycophants—those who seem to thrive by playing the game, bending over for management without making any real contributions. Watching them rise, with zero impact, while genuine hard work is overlooked, only adds to the frustration. It’s laughable how this dynamic is often encouraged, as if loyalty to the system matters more than actual results.

I’ve been there. I’ve seen in people’s eyes, heard the whispers of frustration that never make it beyond closed doors. It’s the newcomers who suffer the most in these organisations. They walk into these brands, eager to learn and grow, only to be crushed under the weight named as “training & learning" and it’s sold to them as an opportunity to “prove themselves.” Though not every employee fits this mold. Some, who come off as “over smart” are challenging to consider. Even so, the solution isn’t punitive but constructive—guiding them into a healthy culture.

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that hard work, no matter the cost, is the only way to succeed. But in my consideration success without well-being is not success at all. This is something I’ve learned through my own experiences working across different organisations and projects from last a few years. We need to be able to recognise when the demands of the job are beyond what is reasonable, and when we need to step up and raise our voices.

To the younger generation: You don’t have to suffer in silence. From my experience, let me tell you, you have the power to shape your own career. Don’t be afraid to speak up when things feel wrong. There are good organisations out there—ones that value you as a human being first. Look for them, find your place, and don’t lose yourself in the process.

This tragedy should not be forgotten. Let it serve as a stark reminder that we need to demand better, not just for ourselves but for the future of work-culture. The ass-kissing culture, the fake ‘team spirit’ that only benefits a few while the rest grind in the background—it needs to end. Don’t let these environments trap you into thinking you have no choice.

It’s time to reclaim your careers, your time, and all our lives. The work culture we allow today will shape the work culture of tomorrow. So, speak up. Stand your ground. Say it louder: No means No.

Anna’s story is heartbreaking. Her case caught attention only because her mother had the courage to send a deeply emotional plea, one that echoed the grief of losing a child to a culture that demands more than anyone should ever have to give. But how many more stories are left untold, how many lives lost or broken because no one was there to raise the alarm in time?

May her soul rest in peace

#RememberAnnaSebastianPerayil #WorkplaceWellness #ToxicWorkCulture #MentalHealthMatters #EmployeeWellbeing #WorkLifeBalance #CorporateCulture #HealthyWorkEnvironment #WorkplaceTransparency #RaiseYourVoice #DemandBetter #StressAtWork #OfficeStruggles #SpeakUpForChange #ProfessionalGrowth

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