Global accounting and advisory firm Ernst & Young ( EY ) India has released a statement following the tragic demise of 26-year-old Chartered Accountant Anna Sebastian Perayil, who allegedly succumbed to extreme work pressure at the company’s Pune office.
“We are deeply saddened by Anna Sebastian’s tragic and untimely passing in July 2024, and our deepest condolences go to the bereaved family,” EY India stated on Wednesday. “While no measure can compensate for the loss experienced by the family, we have provided all the assistance as we always do in such times of distress and will continue to do so.”
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Anna had joined EY’s audit team at S R Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global, on March 18, 2024. In just four months, her promising career was cut short. “That her promising career was cut short in this tragic manner is an irreparable loss for all of us,” the company added.
The matter gained public attention after Anna’s mother sent a letter to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani, criticising what she described as the “glorification” of overwork at the multinational firm. She claimed that her daughter was subjected to excessive workloads, often working late into the night and on weekends. According to the letter, Anna would return to her accommodation completely exhausted, burdened with “backbreaking work” despite being a newcomer.
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In response to the family’s concerns, EY stated, “We are taking the family’s correspondence with the utmost seriousness and humility. We place the highest importance on the well-being of all employees and will continue to find ways to improve and provide a healthy workplace for our 100,000 people across EY member firms in India.”
Employee well-being has become a focal point now, with calls for companies to reassess their workloads and support systems to prevent similar incidents.
This is not an isolated case; concerns about excessive work demands leading to health issues have been raised globally. The incident has prompted discussions about the need for better regulatory oversight and corporate responsibility in safeguarding employee health.
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As investigations continue, colleagues and friends mourn the loss of a young professional whose life and career were just beginning. EY has pledged to review its policies and practices to ensure employee well-being is prioritised.
The Demise of Anna calls for introspection not just within EY but across the corporate sector, urging a reevaluation of workplace cultures that sometimes (most of the time, in the worst case scenario) prioritise productivity over people.
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