Trending @Accenture; Burnout and lack of support
I’ve been part of this new project for the past three months as the offshore lead, and the workload has become overwhelming due to my onshore counterpart. Here’s what’s been happening:
She works in EST but logs in around 8:30-9:00 PM our time, which is almost midnight for me. She makes me stay until 1-2 AM, even when there are no client meetings. She constantly calls me on Teams, and if I’m not available, she calls me on WhatsApp. I often log off around 2 AM, and then she calls again at 6:30 AM. The work involves redoing tasks I've already completed, explaining what I did, or preparing her for meetings and emails, even though she doesn’t include me in any emails or calls. I still have to draft responses and prepare her.
Because she logs in late, both my mornings and evenings are consumed, and in the last three months, I’ve barely had a weekend off. Even when I attended a family function on a Sunday, she called to ask when I’d be back to log in.
This constant pattern has taken a toll on my health. I used to have a good routine with clean eating habits, but that’s all gone now. Last week, I had severe headaches and ended up fainting. My family took me to the hospital, and after hearing my situation, the doctor kept me under observation for a day. Tests revealed slow blood flow, and now I’m on medication for six months. Even on the night I collapsed, she was trying to reach me to summarize a 10-page document for her.
I informed her about my health issue, but I didn’t mention that it was due to work stress. She asked me to seek a second consultation, but now, as the offshore lead, she treats me like just another team member. In front of the team, she blames me for not meeting expectations, avoids interacting with me, and makes it difficult for me to get help from onshore. I haven’t blamed anyone for my situation, and I haven’t taken any leave, but am I expected to work even in an unconscious state?
I’ve raised these concerns with her boss as well, but he dismissively told me this is what’s expected in critical projects. She’s been in the organization for 14 years and has strong connections, so no one is supporting me or understanding my concerns.
Recently, a colleague passed away from a cardiac arrest while working late on a Sunday night. The project sent a simple email stating that he was no more, and the very next day, his replacement was already there.
Isn’t the purpose of the onshore team to cover offshore unavailability? If we’re expected to work around the clock in all shifts, why do we even need an onshore team that costs five times as much as ours? This situation is taking a serious toll, and I feel like the strain is never-ending.
Accenture is really bullshit company so try change it
Managers here don know nothing and putting blame on others, where you need 10 ppl they keep only 3 without backup and ruine your health, life, it's not at all recommended for any human beings especially womens
Raise this to delivery lead or POD lead. If nothing happens, ask for roll off. I know this might increase your trouble in short term but in long run you’ll be better off.
What your role and CL? Asking this I might have few leads for you.
Move away from Accenture or support based companies. I had the same exact issue. My Junior support person left and since then I had to work two persons work. I repeatedly asked for another support person but was denied any help. Client too was happy as they got the output from one person. I had to initially as I had to show that even if the person is leaving for some days I can manage But that they took it for granted. Now am leaving as I am overworked and underpaid taken for granted employee. Most projects in Accenture are America based and for almost 70% project they will say your shift is flexible you can stay and go anytime it's just you need to deliver your tasks required for the day. But clients will set the meeting at around and you can't say no. I cancelled few of them then my Supervisor came back and said you don't need to do it everyday but somedays within week you can have these meetings. It's just listening. Am Associate Manager myself but when I hear such things from Senior Managers it becomes very obvious that you have to either leave or simply zip your lips.
For my case they didn't even give shift allowance. My health was badly deteriorating and medicinal costs were increasing. And last two years there were no hikes. And when I heard the rumour there won't hikes this year too I simply resigned. Health is more important when company can't be loyal with us.
Try logging in just a few hours before your onshore counterpart logs in. Also take rest during the entire day. If someone asks why you login late, say that you need to work throughout the night.
Can you tell us more about the cardiac arrest case. Didn't hear about it.
Fuck her, switch project or switch company. We have 1000 problems until we have health problem. Then we have only 1 problem. Take care!
I would suggest to explain the situation to your People Lead at Accenture India. You should stop worrying about the job and focus on your health
