In a heartbreaking incident, a 26-year-old woman working at Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune has tragically passed away. Anna Sebastian Perayil, a young Chartered Accountant (CA) from Kerala, died just four months after starting her job at one of the Big Four accounting firms. Her family has publicly blamed work-related stress for her untimely death, leading to serious criticisms of the company’s work culture.
A Promising Career Cut Short
Anna Perayil, who had passed her CA exams in 2023, joined EY Pune in March 2024 as an executive. This was her first job, and she was eager to meet the high expectations set by her new role. Sadly, her dedication soon took a severe toll on her health. Her mother, Anita Augustine, shared that Anna began experiencing anxiety, sleeplessness, and stress almost immediately after starting her job. Despite these signs, Anna pushed herself hard, believing that perseverance was the key to success.
Overwhelming Workload and Stress
According to Augustine, Anna was often overloaded with work. Her mother described how Anna’s boss would frequently reschedule meetings and assign tasks at the end of the day, which only added to her stress. At an office party, a senior leader even joked about the difficulties of working under Anna’s manager, a remark that, unfortunately, became all too real.
Augustine revealed that Anna worked late into the night and even on weekends. The work hours were so demanding that Anna had to complete tasks with tight deadlines, sometimes being assigned work late at night. When she expressed her concerns, she was told, “You can work at night; that’s what we all do.”
The Impact on Anna’s Health
Anna’s deteriorating health was evident to her family. Augustine recounted how Anna would come home completely exhausted, sometimes collapsing in bed without changing clothes, only to be bombarded with more work. Despite her efforts to meet deadlines and her strong work ethic, the pressure became too much for her.
Family’s Plea for Change
In a heartfelt email to Rajiv Memani, the head of EY India, Augustine criticized the firm for its work culture, accusing it of “glorifying overwork.” She highlighted the stark contrast between the company’s stated human rights values and the reality Anna faced. Augustine emphasized that Anna, being new to the organization, the location, and the language, was overwhelmed by the constant demands and did not have the experience or confidence to set boundaries.
A Call for Reflection
Augustine’s letter urged EY to reflect on its work culture and take concrete steps to prioritize the health and well-being of its employees. She expressed deep hurt that no one from the company attended Anna’s funeral and that her managers failed to respond to her outreach after the service. Augustine called for a serious examination of the company’s values and practices.
Health Concerns Before Death
Before her death on July 20, Anna had been experiencing chest constriction and was advised by a cardiologist in Pune that her symptoms were due to lack of sleep and late-night eating. Though the ECG results were normal, the incident highlighted the stress Anna had been under.
In the same company, there is differnt work culture at its home country and other western contries. WHY?