123 = IT's Stress

Work stress among IT workers is overwhelming!!! Not withstanding the guarded comments by the IT leadership on this issue in the media, the stress is simply bursting seams.  I quote: "Captains of IT industry are guarded in their response to anecdotal evidence of a spike in reported cases of depression among workers in the sector, as reported by ET last week." Without quoting anyone in particular, my informal interactions with IT workers, brings forth unimaginable work hours and pressure. There is no time to eat, no time to sleep and no time to exercise. The pressure of any escalation from the client keeps them on their toes 24/7, 365 days a year. No leaves, no breaks make it worse. In fact even if they take leaves, the work does not seem to leave them. 

The 123 rule is clearly at work - Hire 1, Pay for 2 and Take work of 3! No wonder, IT companies are planning to hire less (do not think it is only recessionary trends)!

Audrey Tsui's research in Asian economies shows abnormal levels of work stress among Asian workers. He puts it perfectly as - 'Asian wellness in decline: a cost of rising prosperity '. 

Is the cost too high? In fact, a news report in a reputed business daily has revealed that about 50% of patients at NIMHANS, Bangalore (a hospital for brain injury and mental illness) are IT workers.

This may not mean that all Indian IT workers are unhappy. Gallup's recent research shows that meaningful work and work environment can offset long working hours and can still lead to engagement. But meaningful work and reasonably length of work hours are key determinants. All IT work done in India may not necessarily mean meaningful work and long working hours cannot mean 18-19 hours of work everyday, no leaves, no holiday...its just way too much!

Profit maximization seems to have completely overshadowed people centrism.