New Delhi: In response to widespread outrage over the death of a 26-year-old chartered accountant at Ernst and Young India, allegedly due to work-related stress, the Union Labour Ministry has announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Anna Sebastian Perayil.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Anna Sebastian Perayil. We are conducting a thorough investigation into the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment. The Labour Ministry has officially taken up the complaint, and we are committed to ensuring justice,” said Minister of State for Labour Shobha Karandlaje in a post on X.
She was replying to a post by BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who called Anna’s death “very sad but also deeply disturbing” and requested an investigation into her family’s claims of an exploitative work environment at Ernst and Young India.
A Heartbroken Mother’s Letter:
In a letter to Ernst & Young India Chairman Rajiv Memani, Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, described her daughter’s death just four months after joining the company and urged the leadership to address a work culture that “appears to glorify overwork while neglecting the individual behind the role.”
“I am writing as a grieving mother who has lost her beloved daughter, Anna Sebastian Perayil. My heart is heavy and my soul shattered, but I feel compelled to share our story in the hope that no other family will have to endure our pain,” Anita wrote.
She recounted that Anna, an exceptional student who excelled academically and passed the challenging chartered accountancy exam with distinction, was thrilled to start her first job at EY. Tragically, on July 20, 2024, just four months later, Anita received the devastating news of Anna’s death at the age of 26.
Anita detailed the events leading up to Anna’s death, including their visit to Pune for Anna’s CA convocation. Despite complaining of chest discomfort and a lack of sleep, Anna insisted on working, saying she had too much work and couldn’t take time off. Even during her convocation, which was a significant milestone for her, Anna struggled with work pressure, unable to enjoy the occasion.
Anita described how Anna worked late into the night and on weekends, with little time to rest. She mentioned instances where Anna was asked to complete tasks urgently with no regard for her well-being. Despite her exhaustion and the overwhelming pressure, Anna continued to work hard, motivated by a desire to learn and gain experience.
The family was deeply hurt by the fact that no one from EY attended Anna’s funeral. “This absence at such a critical moment for an employee who dedicated herself to your organization until her last breath is profoundly hurtful. Anna deserved better, and so do all employees working under these conditions,” Anita wrote, hoping her daughter’s experience would lead to meaningful change.
Ernst & Young India’s Response
Ernst & Young India issued a statement expressing deep sadness over Anna’s untimely death and assuring that the family’s concerns are being taken seriously.
“We are deeply saddened by Anna Sebastian’s tragic passing in July 2024. Our condolences go out to her family. Anna was part of the Audit team at S R Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global, for a brief period of four months. Her promising career being cut short is a significant loss for all of us. While no measure can compensate for the family’s loss, we have provided and will continue to provide support during this distressing time,” the statement said.
“We are addressing the family’s correspondence with utmost seriousness and humility. The well-being of our employees is our top priority, and we remain committed to improving and providing a healthy work environment for our 100,000 employees across EY member firms in India,” the company added.
