Wed Sep 18 03:10:20 UTC 2024: ## EY Pune Employee Dies From Work Stress, Mother Blasts Firm’s Culture
**Pune, India** – A 26-year-old chartered accountant, Anna Sebastian Perayil, passed away due to work-related stress just four months after joining the multinational consulting firm EY in Pune, according to her mother, Anita Augustine.
Augustine has accused EY of promoting a culture of overwork and neglecting the well-being of its employees, particularly new recruits. In a scathing email to EY India head Rajiv Memani, Augustine criticized the firm for its “dismal” work culture and highlighted the discrepancy between EY’s stated human rights values and the reality experienced by her daughter.
Anna, a recent graduate, began working at EY Pune in March 2024. Despite excelling in her studies and demonstrating a strong work ethic, she soon became overwhelmed by the workload, facing significant stress and anxiety. Her mother shared that Anna worked late nights and weekends, often receiving additional tasks beyond her official duties. Despite her concerns, Augustine said managers continued to push her, leading to a “vicious cycle” of exhaustion and burnout.
Augustine described a particularly troubling incident where Anna’s manager gave her a task with a deadline the next morning. When Anna expressed her exhaustion and concerns about the workload, she was told, “You can work at night; that’s what we all do.”
Anna’s mother also pointed to an incident at an office party where a senior leader joked about the challenging nature of working under Anna’s manager, a sentiment that unfortunately proved true.
Augustine’s email to EY has sparked outrage online, with many expressing their condolences and demanding accountability from the firm. Political leader Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed disappointment with the incident, highlighting the need for corporate houses to prioritize mental health, especially for young professionals transitioning from student life to the workforce.
EY has not yet publicly commented on the incident. However, this tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of a toxic work culture and the importance of prioritizing employee well-being. Augustine’s call for a reassessment of EY’s HR policies and a change in company culture resonates with many, emphasizing the need for a proactive approach to protecting the mental health of employees.
First Piper 