Work pressure claims another life? Mystery surrounds HDFC employee's death in Lucknow

Days after the tragic death of a young chartered accountant at Ernst & Young, Pune, allegedly due to work pressure, an employee of HDFC Bank in Lucknow, too, allegedly succumbed to work stress, according to reports.

Sadaf Fatima, a 45-year-old additional deputy vice-president at the bank's Vibuti Khand branch in Gomati Nagar, reportedly, collapsed from her chair during shift hours yesterday. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, but was declared brought dead.

Initial reports suggest she had a heart attack. While some of her colleagues alleged that Fatima died due to work stress, TV9 quoted her brother-in-law as saying that she was suffering from high blood pressure and was treated at King George’s Medical University (KGMC) in Lucknow. Fatima was on a three-day medical leave, and had rejoined on Tuesday.

ALSO READ | EY executive Anna Sebastian contacted HR wing for help, manager glorified toxicity: Friend recollects last call hours before her passing

What Akhilesh Yadav said about Sadaf Fatima's death

Lamenting Sadaf Fatima's death, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the condition of employees “has become worse than bonded laboures”. In an apparent dig at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's remarks on Anna's death, which received much backlash on social media, Yadav said the statements of the BJP “mentally demoralise the public”.

'Youngsters should learn to manage stress'

In the aftermath of Anna's death, which has sparked debate and probe on the stressful work culture, Sitharaman said at an event in a Chennai medical college that families should teach their children that they must have the inner strength to handle pressure, and that can be achieved through only divinity.

ALSO READ: Nirmala Sitharaman slammed for 'victim blaming'

"Believe in God, we need to have God's grace. Seek God, learn good discipline. Your self-strength will grow only from this," Sitharaman added.

Her remarks drew widespread criticism from opposition parties and netizens. However, the finance minister defended her remarks, saying that she used the particular words because of nature of event she was attending at the college.

Report of probe into Anna Sebastian Perayi's death in 10 days

Earlier this week, Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said probe is underway into the alleged "unsafe and exploitative work environment" said to have caused Anna's death, and the report is expected in 10 days.

ALSO READ: Work pressure: Depressed Chennai techie dies by suicide

"We have already sought information from our state officials. We would be able to say anything (on the issue) only after a... report," Mandaviya told reporters.

Anna, a 26-year-old CA, died allegedly due to extreme work pressure at the firm. The Kochi native joined EY in March, after clearing the C.A. exam last year. She died on July 20.

ALSO READ: 'Anna's death should serve as wake-up call for EY': Mother's letter sparks debate on work stress

A letter written by her mother Anita Augustine to EY India chairperson Rajiv Memani, detailing the work culture in the office, had exposed the work pressure in the firm, sparking a debate online on work-life balance and toxic work culture prevalent in Indian companies.