  We show that the quantum Jarzynski equality generalizes to
$\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric quantum mechanics with unbroken
$\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry. In the regime of broken $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry the
Jarzynski equality does not hold as also the $\mathcal{CPT}$-norm is not
preserved during the dynamics. These findings are illustrated for an
experimentally relevant system -- two coupled optical waveguides. It turns out
that for these systems the phase transition between the regimes of unbroken and
broken $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry is thermodynamically inhibited as the
irreversible work diverges at the critical point.
