A viral tribute post shared how, in an era of quick exits and a “productivity first” mindset, Deloitte USI made a grand gesture for a terminally ill employee: she left her desk untouched for three years.
In a viral LinkedIn post, Sonika, the twin sister of the late Deloitte employee, shared a video of the day Monika was selected as Deloitte USI’s brand ambassador for the 2012 London Olympics – a moment of pride, joy and possibility. “She continued to work with Deloitte until the last day of her life. She was employed by Deloitte for 7 years.”
However, Sonika emphasized that the LinkedIn post was not about her sister’s success, but about the extraordinary culture of empathy that Deloitte displayed until its final days.
“It’s about the people. It’s about the culture. It’s about what it really means when a company says they value their employees,” she wrote in the post, sharing a very heartwarming gesture from the company.
“When Monika was fighting cancer, it wasn’t just a medical battle, it was an emotional and existential battle. And in those difficult years, her team stood by her with such grace that we will never forget,” said Sonika.
“How will we ever forget that you left her desk untouched for three years while she was battling cancer? Three years,” she said. “Not as an administrative oversight, but as a gesture of hope. Belonging. Faith that he will return.”
“This is not politics. This is culture,” Sonika wrote. “In a world where productivity often determines value, you chose humanity. You chose to see the person before the employee. And that made all the difference.”
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Touched by the empathy, Sonika wrote: “Some companies employ people. Some companies stand by them even in their darkest hours. For us, that compassion will never be forgotten.”
Sonika also gave special mention to Monika’s then manager Ankur Walunjkar, her HR head Anita Asirvadam and colleague and friend Anagha Sawant. “Thank you for the empathy, dignity and unwavering support you have shown her and us.”
LiveMint has reached out to Deloitte India for comment and is awaiting a response.
“Monika was an exceptional colleague”
“Sonika Bakshi thank you for sharing and remembering Monika in such a beautiful way. Reading this message brought back so many memories,” Ankur Walunjkar, who later became Deloitte’s CEO, commented on the viral post. “Monika was an exceptional colleague and a wonderful human being. She carried herself with quiet strength, warmth and dignity and left a lasting impression on everyone who worked with her.”
“It was a difficult time for all of us who knew her, but what I remember most is her courage and the grace with which she faced everything that came her way. She remained thoughtful, dedicated and deeply respected by the entire team,” Ankur said. “Monica will always be fondly remembered by all who had the honor of working with her.”
Anita Asirvadam said: “Sonika Bakshi thank you for sharing about Monica! Moments like these remind us that what Monika left behind is more than what she was meant to do..it’s the way she made others feel. Monika had a lasting impact, created a sense of belonging that stayed with everyone who knew her – it’s beautiful to remember her and share about her. It suddenly pulled me back into that conversation yesterday, I feel a part of it culture. Monica’s journey.”
Referring to the video, Kevin Potter, formerly chief administrative officer (CAO) at Deloitte, said: “Sonika, I remember the day this video was made so well. Monika was so surprised and so excited to be selected for London. I remember how excited she was to meet some of the other people from Deloitte who were also there.”
