Thu Sep 19 06:12:04 UTC 2024: ## Work Stress Allegedly Leads to Death of Young Chartered Accountant, Ministry Launches Probe

**Pune, India:** The Union Labour Ministry has launched an investigation into the death of 26-year-old chartered accountant Anna Sebastian Perayil, who worked for Ernst & Young India, following allegations of work-related stress.

Anna, who joined the company in March 2024, tragically passed away in July after just four months. Her mother, Anita Augustine, in a letter to EY India chairman Rajiv Memani, described a grueling work environment where Anna consistently worked late into the night, including weekends, and faced pressure to meet demanding deadlines.

“Anna was an excellent student who topped through school and college,” wrote Augustine. “EY was her first job, and she was thrilled to be part of such a prestigious company. But four months later, on July 20th, 2024, my world collapsed when I received the devastating news that Anna had passed away.”

Augustine further detailed how Anna experienced chest constrictions due to sleep deprivation and late-night work, yet felt pressured to continue despite medical advice. She highlighted a particularly distressing incident where Anna was called at night by her assistant manager with a task that had to be completed by morning, leaving her with minimal rest.

The family was further distressed by the absence of any representatives from EY at Anna’s funeral. “No one from EY attended Anna’s funeral. This absence at such a critical moment, for an employee who gave her all to your organization until her last breath, is deeply hurtful,” wrote Augustine.

In response, Ernst & Young India issued a statement expressing deep sadness over Anna’s passing and offering condolences to her family. The company stated that they are taking the family’s correspondence “with the utmost seriousness and humility.” While emphasizing the importance of employee well-being, the company did not specifically address the allegations of an exploitative work environment.

The Labour Ministry has officially taken up the complaint and is committed to ensuring justice for Anna and her family. This incident has sparked outrage and raises concerns about workplace culture and the impact of excessive work pressure on employees’ mental and physical health.

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