Wed Sep 18 07:55:50 UTC 2024: ## EY Employee’s Death Highlights Workload Concerns: Mother Calls for Change
**Pune, India** – The death of a 26-year-old chartered accountant, Anna Sebastian Perayil, employed by multinational consulting firm Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune, has sparked concern over the company’s work culture.
In a heartfelt letter addressed to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani, Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, claims her daughter succumbed to “overwhelming workload” just four months after joining the company.
Anna, who was a top student and excelled in her academic career, consistently worked late nights and weekends, often returning to her accommodation completely exhausted. Her mother alleges that the “backbreaking work” and relentless pressure from her managers took a toll on Anna’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Augustine further reveals that Anna’s team was plagued with resignations due to excessive workload, and that her manager pressured her to “change everyone’s opinion about the team,” putting additional strain on the young professional.
Anna’s mother highlights the lack of consideration shown by the company towards a new employee who was struggling to adapt to a new city and culture. She details how her daughter was frequently assigned work at the end of her shift, forcing her to work overtime, and was given additional tasks beyond her job description, often verbally.
Despite expressing concerns about the workload, Anna’s managers were persistent, leading to her exhaustion and ultimately her death. Notably, no one from EY attended Anna’s funeral, further emphasizing the lack of support from the company.
Augustine’s letter serves as a poignant call for change within EY, urging the company to prioritize employee well-being and address the prevailing work culture that often glorifies overwork at the expense of employee health.
EY has been contacted for a statement and will be included in this article upon receipt.
This tragic incident has sparked significant online interest, with Google Trends showing a surge in searches for “Anna Sebastian Perayil” since September 17.
First Piper 