Death of EY Accountant Raises Workplace Concerns

Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant employed at Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune, tragically passed away just four months after starting her job, with her mother attributing the death to excessive work stress. In a poignant email to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani, Anita Augustine detailed the relentless pressure and overwhelming workload her daughter faced, leading to anxiety and sleeplessness. Despite Anna's academic excellence and determination, the demanding environment at EY, including long hours and unrealistic expectations, took a severe toll on her health. Anita highlighted that several employees had left the company due to similar work conditions and called for EY to take responsibility for its workplace culture. She urged the firm to prioritize the well-being of its employees, stating that Anna's story should serve as a wake-up call for the industry regarding the dangers of glorifying overwork. The situation has raised significant concerns about mental health and workplace practices in high-pressure environments.