'Don’t believe work pressure could have claimed Anna's life': EY India chairman on employee's death

The death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant with Ernst & Young India, allegedly due to “work pressure” has created massive outrage with the company, considered to be one of the Big Four accounting firms, facing backlash on social media.

Anna joined EY’s audit and assurance team in Pune in March this year. She was employed at SR Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global in Pune’s Yerawada.  

The young woman passed away four months later on July 20 while undergoing treatment at a city hospital where she was admitted after she felt uneasy and complained of exhaustion.

Reports mentioned Anna’s colleagues claiming that they were told she died of a heart attack.

Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, wrote a letter to Ernst & Young’s India chairman Rajiv Memani where she alleged that her daughter had worked tirelessly at the company and the workload, new environment and long hours took a toll on her physically, mentally and emotionally.

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She also appealed for better working conditions for the employees at EY.

Anna’s mother’s letter went viral on social media and was shared multiple times on LinkedIn, including by the former employees of the company.

‘Don’t believe work pressure could have claimed Anna’s life’

Speaking about the issue, Memani said EY has around one lakh employees and “each one has to work hard."  

“Anna worked with us only for four months. She was allotted work like any other employee. We don’t believe that work pressure could have claimed her life,” Memani was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.  

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‘EY provided all assistance as it always do’

Mermani further said that Anna’s promising career was abruptly ended in this tragic way is an “irreparable loss” for EY.

“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,” the report quoted EY’s India chairman as saying.

‘Committed to implementing measures bettering existing system’ 

Memani further said that he had received a letter from Anna’s mother and he had addressed it, assuring her of his full support. He also emphasised that apart from providing immediate assistance, he is “committed to implementing further measures aimed at bettering the existing systems."

Modi govt to investigate circumstances that led to Anna’s death

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre has taken up a complaint and will be investigating the circumstances that led to Anna’s death.  

“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Anna Sebastian Perayil. A thorough investigation into the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment is underway. We are committed to ensuring justice & Labour Ministry has officially taken up the complaint,” Minister of State for Labour Shobha Karandlaje said in a post on X on Thursday.

Anna was burdened with ‘backbreaking work’ 

In her letter, Anna’s mother said that her young daughter was burdened with “backbreaking work” and she received no weekends.

Her mother further said that Anna often reached her PG late at night “utterly exhausted,” collapsing into bed without even changing.  

“I am writing to you now, Rajiv, because I believe EY has a profound responsibility to ensure the well-being of its employees. Anna’s experience sheds light on a work culture that seems to glorify overwork while neglecting the very human beings behind the roles,” Anna’s mother said in the letter addressed to the EY India chairman.

‘No one from EY attended Anna’s funeral’ 

She went on to highlight that “no one from EY attended Anna’s funeral.”  

Anna’s mother also mentioned in the letter that after her funeral when she reached out to the manager, her daughter was reporting to, even they did not respond to her.  

After the rage over the incident on social media following the letter of Anna’s mother which went viral, Memani had sent an email to his staff with a “do not forward” directive.  

However, his email got leaked on social media and was widely circulated on various platforms.  

In his email to staff with the subject line “News in media”, Memani acknowledged that he had received an “anguished email from Anna’s mother” and that he had “taken note of her message with utmost seriousness and humility.”

In the mail, Memani added links to forums where EY employees could share feedback and said that anyone facing a challenging time at the company should reach out to their “team leaders, members of the talent team.