Letter from a mother reveals brutal working conditions at EY after employee’s death

The tragic death of Anna Perayil: The tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old employee of Ernst & Young (EY) Pune, has sparked harsh criticism of the company’s work culture. Her mother, Anita Augustine, has publicly condemned EY’s excessive workload and the company’s failure to address her daughter’s health issues.

A tragic loss

Anna Perayil, a chartered accountant from Kerala, joined EYE In March 2024, Perayil retired from practice in Pune. Her tenure at the multinational consultancy firm was cut short when she passed away just four months later. According to her mother, Augustine, the cause of death was attributed to “work stress”. Perayil had recently completed her CA exams in 2023 and was eager to prove herself in her new role as an executive.

Concerns about health and workload

Augustine has shared details about her daughter’s work life, revealing that the intense workload and high expectations took a serious toll on Perayil’s health. Augustine described how Perayil began experiencing anxiety, insomnia and overwhelming stress almost immediately after starting her job At EY, despite these signs, Perayil continued to push forward, convinced that dedication and hard work would lead to success. In an email to EY’s India head, Rajiv Memani, Augustine criticised the company’s culture, highlighting a stark contrast between the firm’s publicly stated human rights values ​​and the harsh reality her daughter faced. Augustine recounted instances where Perayil’s director would reschedule meetings during cricket matches and assign her tasks late in the day, exacerbating her stress levels. At an office party, a senior manager even joked about Perayil’s challenging work environment – ​​a reality that, unfortunately, became a reality.

The burden of overwork

Augustine detailed how Perayil frequently had to work late into the evening and on weekends. She described how she was often given unofficial tasks in addition to her regular duties, forcing her to work without a break. Despite her mother’s advice to manage her workload, Perayil felt pressured by her managers to continually take on more responsibilities. Augustine also shared disturbing accounts of how Perayil was given urgent tasks with tight deadlines, leaving her little time to rest. A late-night call from an assistant manager demanding she finish a task immediately is cited as an example of the unreasonable expectations Perayil faced. When Perayil voiced her concerns, she received the dismissive response: “You can work at night; that’s what we all do.”

A call for change

Augustine’s letter to EY management harshly criticized the firm’s “glorification of overwork,” explaining that her daughter, who was new to both the company and the city, felt overwhelmed by the assigned and additional tasks. Augustine highlighted that Perayil, as a young professional, lacked the experience or authority to set boundaries or reject unreasonable demands, leading her to push herself beyond her limits. In her email, Augustine He urged EY to re-evaluate its work culture and prioritize the health and well-being of its employees. He called for significant changes to avoid tragedies like this in the future, and stressed the need for a work environment that genuinely respects the health of employees.

Public protest and reactions

The incident has also attracted public attention and reactions. Shiv Sena’s UBT leader Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed her grief over the situation and shared her thoughts on X.

Chaturvedi’s statement highlighted the need for companies to review their HR policies and place greater emphasis on mental health, particularly for new employees. recruits The transition from student life to the professional world. Augustine’s moving letter and the public reaction highlight a critical need for reform in corporate work cultures, emphasizing the importance of addressing and preventing overwork and stress among employees.

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