Across metro India, conversations around burnout have shifted from hushed whispers to open Slack threads. However, a deeper issue is emerging—workism, the belief that one's job is central to identity and purpose. HBR argues that this modern ideology, particularly prevalent in high-growth sectors like tech and consulting, fosters unrealistic expectations of perpetual fulfillment solely through work. In India, where economic pressure, social mobility, and prestige often intersect in career success, workism appears early—even during college placement seasons. For HR leaders, this raises pressing questions: Are we promoting sustainable ambition, or glorifying overwork under the guise of hustle culture? Are wellness programs addressing symptoms rather than root causes? It might be time to reframe our cultural narrative: fulfillment does not have to equate to exhaustion.
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