IIM A alumnus who averaged 70-hour workweeks states: 'Just blaming corporates for hustle culture is pointless'

The tragic passing of 26-year-old EY employee Anna Sebastian Perayil has ignited a heated conversation about toxic work cultures, shining a much-needed spotlight on the issue. Recently, an IIM Ahmedabad alumnus, who had spent his first year post IIM-A working nearly 70 hours a week, offers his learning: "It's pointless just blaming corporates for the hustle culture."

Abhijit Basak is Vice President, Corporate Strategy at Alkem Laboratories Ltd.

Basak shares that after graduating from IIM Ahmedabad in 2005, he found himself in the relentless grind of corporate life, averaging 68 hours a week for 32 weeks.

While physically unscathed, the mental toll pushed him to reflect on the deeper issues behind the pervasive hustle culture.

In hindsight, he identified several key factors contributing to this toxic environment.?

First, the perception that overwork was the norm had been ingrained over batches. Second, unnecessary iterations in project presentations drained the excitement from problem-solving.?

Third, an overzealous manager, hungry for recognition and bonuses, set an exhausting pace for the team. Fourth, the workforce comprised ambitious graduates from top IIMs and IITs, each driven to excel.?

Lastly, the lucrative salaries perpetuated this culture.

Soon, upon realising that a life like this wasn’t sustainable, Basak shares that he returned to India. He writes that he established boundaries: prioritising mental health, rejecting micromanagement, and eliminating weekend work.?

In the comments, others echoed Basak's perspective, emphasising that education plays a significant role in this relentless hustle culture. One commenter noted, "From K1 to getting into IIT IIMs or any other premier institute, a mindset formed over 13-14 years. Everyone is rushing, stampeding each other to get 'somewhere.'"

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