EY employee death: Big 4 accounting firm’s Pune office lacked labour welfare permit, say sources

Wed Sep 25 02:37:49 UTC 2024: ## EY Pune Office Operating Without Permit, Under Investigation After Employee’s Death

**Pune, India -** The Pune office of Ernst & Young (EY) has come under scrutiny after it was revealed that the company had been operating without a state permit for over 15 years. The revelation came during an inspection by the Labour Commissioner following the death of 26-year-old Chartered Accountant Anna Sebastian Perayil, who succumbed to work stress in July.

The Labour Commissioner’s inspection found that EY’s Pune office, established in 2007, lacked a Shop Act license, a legal requirement under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act. This act regulates working conditions, including employee rights, working hours, wages, and safety. The company reportedly applied for the license online only in February this year.

Additional Labour Commissioner Shailendra Pol stated that the company has been given seven days to respond to the findings of the inspection. He added that a report on the events surrounding Perayil’s death will be submitted to the state labour commissioner within a week and then forwarded to the Centre for further review.

The Union Labour Ministry has also sought information from state officials regarding the employee’s death. Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya confirmed that the government will take action based on the reports received within the next week, which will include police and post-mortem reports as well as discussions with EY officials.

Perayil’s mother, Anita Augustine, has accused EY of fostering a toxic work culture that led to her daughter’s death. She claims that the extended working hours took a toll on her daughter’s health and that no one from the company attended her funeral.

The investigation into the lack of permit and the circumstances surrounding Perayil’s death is ongoing. The findings will determine whether EY faces any legal action or sanctions for operating without the required licenses and for potentially violating labor laws.

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