A 26-year-old Chartered Accountant from Kerala, Anna Sebastian Perayil, tragically passed away due to what her family described as “work stress” just four months after joining EY Pune. Her mother, Anita Augustine, has written to EY India’s head, accusing the firm of overworking employees and glorifying unhealthy work habits.
A Promising Start Cut Short 🕊️
Anna, who passed her CA exams in 2023, joined EY in March 2024, excited to embark on her career. However, her journey quickly became a stressful struggle. According to her mother, the work culture at EY burdened Anna with “backbreaking work,” which took a heavy toll on her mental and physical health. Despite experiencing severe anxiety and sleeplessness, she continued to push herself, believing perseverance was the key to success.
The Letter to EY’s Leadership ✉️
In her letter, Anita Augustine highlighted the glaring disparity between the company’s public values and the reality her daughter endured. She pointed out how Anna was often overburdened with tasks, working late into the night and on weekends. Even when Anna expressed her concerns about the overwhelming workload, she was met with dismissive responses like “You can work at night; that’s what we all do.”
A Call for Reflection ⚖️
Anita urged EY to reflect on its work culture and prioritize employee well-being, stating that Anna’s death should serve as a “wake-up call” for the company. She also noted the lack of empathy from EY following Anna’s death, claiming that none of her daughter’s colleagues or managers attended her funeral.
Impact on Work Culture 💡
This tragedy shines a spotlight on the growing need for companies to balance productivity with employee wellness. As many industries grapple with the demands of a high-pressure work environment, stories like Anna’s serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and ensuring that employees’ health is never compromised for the sake of output.
Anna’s family hopes that her untimely passing will prompt EY and similar organizations to re-evaluate their practices and foster a more supportive work environment where the well-being of employees is prioritized.
This heartbreaking incident underscores the need for companies to address work-related stress and put measures in place to support their teams.