Wed Sep 18 08:52:25 UTC 2024: ## EY Employee’s Death Sparks Outrage Over “Excessive Workload” and Hustle Culture

**Pune, India:** A young chartered accountant, Anna Sebastian Perayil, passed away due to “excessive workload” at Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune, according to a heartbreaking letter written by her mother, Anita Augustine. The letter, which has gone viral, details Anna’s struggles with stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights during her four months at EY, and accuses the company of callous disregard for her well-being.

Anna, a top student and a “fighter” as described by her mother, joined EY in March. Despite experiencing physical, emotional, and mental strain from the demanding work environment, she continued to push herself, believing hard work was the key to success. However, the relentless workload, late nights, and weekend work took a toll on her health, leading to her death in July.

Augustine’s letter paints a disturbing picture of Anna’s experience. She was assigned additional tasks beyond her official responsibilities, often verbally, and was pressured to “stick around and change everyone’s opinion about the team.” Colleagues warned her about her manager’s demanding style, which included rescheduling meetings during cricket matches and assigning work at the end of the day, adding to Anna’s stress.

When Anna voiced her concerns, she was met with dismissive responses. Her managers told her to “work at night” and shrugged off her struggles. Despite her parents’ urging to quit, Anna persevered, wanting to learn and gain experience. But the pressure proved too much.

The tragic incident has sparked outrage, shining a light on the dangers of hustle culture and the need for better work-life balance in corporate environments. Augustine’s letter calls on EY to prioritize employee health and well-being and to create a culture where employees feel safe to speak up about their workload.

The case has attracted attention from politicians as well, with Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi expressing her heartbreak and calling for better treatment of young professionals. Anna’s death serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of excessive workload and the importance of prioritizing employee mental and physical well-being.

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