Burnout and employee wellness in India are no longer just HR buzzwords — they’re critical issues shaping the future of our workforce. In this impactful episode of Wellness at Work India, we bring you an honest, eye-opening conversation with two of the country’s most respected leaders: Pawan Damani, Vice President of JSW Ispat, and Jatin Joshi, Group CEO of Maitreya Medicare.
The discussion centers on burnout and employee wellness in India’s healthcare and industrial sectors, two industries often overlooked when it comes to mental health and workplace well-being. Pawan and Jatin share real stories from the ground, insights from leadership, and actionable thoughts on what must change — and fast.
From the intense stress faced by doctors to the reasons why even children of medical professionals now prefer IT careers, this episode reflects a deep disconnect between passion, profession, and workplace culture. When employee wellness is ignored, it leads to rising attrition, low morale, and even brain drain — especially in India’s healthcare sector where nurses are leaving for countries like Japan and Germany for better pay and dignity.
Jatin talks about the thankless nature of medical jobs in India, despite academic brilliance and dedication, while Pawan raises concerns about the massive pay disparity between India and foreign countries, where nurses earn up to 10x more. They both agree: burnout is not just about workload — it’s about the lack of appreciation, toxic leadership, and outdated HR systems.
As part of the Wellness at Work India mission, this episode encourages founders, HR professionals, hospital administrators, and policy-makers to rethink their approach to employee wellness. Wellness must move from token initiatives to cultural transformation. This is not a “good to have” — it’s essential.
Burnout is caused by toxic culture, not just overwork
Even doctors discourage their children from joining medicine
India’s healthcare workers face a harsh reality of underpayment and overwork
Nurses are migrating overseas for better pay and respect
Employee wellness needs to be a leadership priority, not just an HR task
Jatin Joshi, Group CEO of Maitreya Medicare Ltd., oversees a network of 12 hospitals across Gujarat and Maharashtra. With over 23 years of experience in healthcare leadership, he provides deep insights into operational excellence, project management, and the critical importance of mental health support in the healthcare industry.
Pawan Damani, Vice President of Business Development at JSW Ispat Special Steel Ltd., brings a wealth of knowledge from the industrial sector. His expertise in business development and marketing offers a unique perspective on the challenges and strategies related to employee wellness in manufacturing environments.
