EY india Responds After Employee's Death Linked to Work Stress
Ernst & Young (EY), a leading accounting firm, has issued a statement following the tragic death of 26-year-old Anna Sebastian Perayil, an employee from Pune. Her mother, in an email to EY india head Rajiv Memani, claimed that Anna's death was due to work-related stress. Anna, a Chartered Accountant from Kerala, was part of the Audit team at S R Batliboi.
EY expressed deep sorrow over Anna's "irreparable loss," stating that they have been providing assistance to her family during this difficult time. The firm highlighted that Anna had only recently joined the company on march 18, 2024, and emphasized the impact of her untimely passing on the organization.
In response to the incident, EY hinted at plans to implement changes aimed at fostering a healthier workplace for its employees. The firm reassured that employee well-being is a top priority and that they will continue to seek improvements across their operations in India.
Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, criticized EY for promoting a culture of overwork in her email to Memani. She recounted how her daughter was pressured to stay on despite a high turnover of staff due to excessive workloads. Augustine detailed instances of late-night calls and demanding tasks that left Anna with little time for rest.
Anita stated that Anna’s death should prompt a serious reassessment of the company’s work culture, calling for meaningful actions to prioritize employee health and wellness. Although the specific cause of her death is unclear, Anna had previously reported symptoms like "chest constriction." Following her complaints, medical assessments had suggested that her issues stemmed from lack of sleep and irregular eating habits.
Anna’s LinkedIn profile has been memorialized, honoring her professional achievements. Before joining EY, she worked for over two years at G Joseph & Associates and was an accomplished national-level debater. Her last post celebrated her new role at EY, reflecting her aspirations for her career.