Anxiety, depression, overwhelming stress after joining EY: Anna's mother

Anna Perayil’s tragic death: The tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old employee at Ernst & Young (EY) Pune, has ignited severe criticism of the firm'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 EY Pune in March 2024. Her tenure at the multinational consulting 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.

Health and workload concerns

Augustine has shared details about her daughter’s work life, revealing that the intense workload and high expectations severely impacted Perayil’s health. Augustine described how Perayil began experiencing anxiety, sleeplessness, and overwhelming stress almost immediately upon starting her job at EY. Despite these signs, Perayil continued to push herself, believing 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 faced by her daughter. Augustine recounted instances where Perayil’s manager rescheduled meetings during cricket matches and assigned tasks late in the day, exacerbating her stress levels. At an office party, a senior leader even joked about Perayil’s challenging work environment, a reality that, sadly, came true.

The burden of overwork

Augustine detailed how Perayil was frequently required to work late into the night and on weekends. She described how Perayil was often given additional, unofficial tasks on top of her regular duties, leading to a relentless work schedule. Despite her mother’s advice to manage her workload, Perayil felt pressured by her managers to continuously accept more responsibilities.

Augustine also shared disturbing accounts of how Perayil was assigned urgent tasks with tight deadlines, leaving her with little time for rest. An assistant manager’s late-night call demanding immediate completion of a task is cited as an example of the unreasonable expectations Perayil faced. When Perayil voiced her concerns, she was met with the dismissive response: “You can work at night; that’s what we all do.”

A call for change

Augustine's letter to EY's leadership strongly criticised the firm’s “glorification of overwork,” explaining that her daughter, who was new to both the company and the city, felt overwhelmed by both assigned and additional tasks. Augustine stressed that Perayil, as a young professional, lacked the experience or authority to set boundaries or refuse unreasonable demands, leading to her pushing herself beyond her limits.

In her email, Augustine urged EY to reassess its work culture and prioritise the health and well-being of its employees. She called for meaningful changes to prevent such tragedies in the future, stressing the need for a supportive work environment that genuinely respects employee health.

Public outcry and reactions

The incident has also drawn public attention and reactions. Shiv Sena UBT leader Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed her heartbreak over the situation, sharing her thoughts on X. 

Chaturvedi's statement highlighted the need for corporate houses to review their HR policies and place greater emphasis on mental health, particularly for new recruits transitioning from student life to the professional world.

Augustine's poignant letter and the public reaction highlights a critical need for reform in corporate work cultures, stressing the importance of addressing and preventing overwork and stress amongst employees.