Can we stop to imagine what Tarun Saxena and Anna Sebastian Perayil must have gone through in their final days? What pain must have been in their minds for ending their lives to seem easier than facing the painful reality of their jobs?
Are these two the names of individuals who cracked under work pressure?
Are we only talking about them because they've turned into headlines?
Or do we know the sad reality of a toxic work culture, where we live in fear that ‘we’re replaceable’?
"Perform or you’re out."
Even when you perform, it doesn't matter; it depends on the profit margins we meet.
Let’s think about Tarun Saxena, a 42-year-old man who have gone through 45 sleepless nights before deciding to end his life.
In his letter, he shared the pain and humiliation he experienced each day.
What terrifying thoughts must have run through his mind?
What could have driven him to believe that ending his life, leaving behind two young kids, a wife, and aging parents, was an option?
What must his mental state have been, coming home to bills, EMIs, and a family relying on him financially, all while battling the relentless demands of his job and the daily humiliation?
How many times must he have thought about quitting his job, but found that quitting life seemed easier than facing the reality of disappointing his family and failing to meet their financial needs?
Until one day, he finally decided to give up.
When such devastating news surfaces, we often stop for a moment, express sadness, and think, “That’s awful, but what can we do?”
And then, we move on.
The truth is, we’re all aware of the constant, work pressure.
But we normalize it. We accept it.
As much as we might try to rationalize or offer advice about work-life balance, healthy boundaries, or mental wellness strategies like meditation or deep breathing, we know that practical solutions feel impossible in a world where your livelihood is at risk.
Do we like it? Mostly no. but we live in "Fear"
The Sword Over Our Head:
Imagine living under the constant fear that you’re replaceable.
How could you say no to that extra workload, overtime, weekend calls, or any undue work demands that fall outside your responsibilities?
How could you establish healthy boundaries and say no when your boss calls you at 11 p.m.?
How do you refuse overtime, weekend work, or yet another demand when you know it could cost you your job?
The message is clear—perform, or we don’t need you.
No matter how well you do, it’s never enough.
Someone else is always breathing down your neck, threatening to take your place.
Imagine the internal dialogue of someone caught in this toxic cycle:
"If I don’t work late tonight, they’ll think I’m slacking.”
“If I don’t answer this call at midnight, will they think I’m not committed?”
“I have to do better—everyone’s replaceable.”
This isn’t just a hypothetical fear. It’s happening all around us.
According to recent reports, the global unemployment rate is hovering around 5.6%, with 192 million people out of work.
Major corporations, including tech giants and financial firms, have announced layoffs this year, cutting tens of thousands of jobs worldwide.
In the first quarter of 2024 alone, approximately 200,000 tech workers were laid off globally, sending a chilling message to the workforce: "Be grateful for the job you have, no matter the cost."
When you know that the moment you say no, you would be reminded how many more deserving candidates are waiting for the spot you’re holding.
Not only that, your performance rating is dependent on how to say yes, to the demand that have been thrown, whether it’s due or undue, who cares?
You feel the pressure to prove yourself, over and over again, at the cost of your mental and physical health.
Companies downsized, employees were asked to take on more responsibility, and "work from home" morphed into "work around the clock."
The result?
Burnout, anxiety, and, tragically, stories like those of Anna Sebastian Perayil and Tarun Saxena—the ones who could no longer bear the weight of toxic work environments.
Breaking the Cycle:
So, Where Do We Go From Here?
For too long, we’ve normalized a culture where overwork is glorified, and burnout is seen as a badge of honor.
The idea that you are replaceable and must continually prove your worth is toxic, unsustainable, and deadly.
And it’s not just isolated to a few cases. It’s happening all around us. More than 80% of employees report feeling stressed at work, and workplace stress is estimated to cost the global economy $1 trillion in lost productivity each year, according to the World Health Organization.
So, What Now?
Do we just throw our hands up and accept this as the new normal?
Absolutely not.
What is the way out? I hope we find the answer. But any time, and whatever the situation is we should never forget that, nothing is more important than the life itself.
We should never forget that human life has a value value. We need to know that no job is worth losing yourself over.
We can’t afford to wait for the next heartbreaking headline to make us pause. The time to address toxic work culture is now.
What do you have to say? Share your thoughts and share the article to create awareness.
Sources:
Tarun Saxena: "No Sleep For 45 Days": Loan Company Staff Dies By Suicide, Blames Work Pressure (ndtv.com)
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