Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old Chartered Accountant at Ernst & Young (EY) Pune, tragically passed away just four months after joining the firm. Her family has attributed her death to severe work stress, claiming that the company’s workload was overwhelming. In response to this devastating event, Anna's mother, Anita Augustine, had written a heartfelt email to Rajiv Memani, the India boss of EY, condemning the firm's "glorification of overwork" and criticising the gap between its human rights values and the reality her daughter faced.
Anna joined EY Pune on March 19, 2024, and died on July 20, 2024. Her mother’s letter highlighted the stark contrast between the company’s stated values and the conditions that Anna reportedly endured.
EY India Chairman Responds to Anna Sebastian Perayil’s Death
In response to the tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani addressed the concerns raised by Anna’s family and the subsequent investigation. Memani highlighted that the company employs around 100,000 people and emphasized that all employees are expected to work hard.
He stated, “We have around one lakh employees. There is no doubt each one has to work hard. Anna worked with us only for four months. She was allotted work like any other employee. We don’t believe that work pressure could have claimed her life.”
Memani acknowledged the loss, saying that Anna’s death is an “irreparable loss” for the company. He added, “While no measure can compensate for the loss experienced by the family, we have provided all the assistance as we always do in such times of distress and will continue to do so.”
The company assured that they are taking the family's correspondence seriously and emphasised their commitment to employee well-being. They added, “We place the highest importance on the well-being of all employees and will continue to find ways to improve and provide a healthy workplace for our 100,000 people across EY member firms in India.”
Union Labour Ministry's Response
The Union Labour Ministry has taken notice of the situation and has committed to investigating the circumstances surrounding Anna’s death. Minister of State for Labour Shobha Karandlaje announced, “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Anna Sebastian Perayil. A thorough investigation into the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment is underway. We are committed to ensuring justice, and the Labour Ministry has officially taken up the complaint. @mansukhmandviya.”
Leaked Email from EY India Chairman
An internal email from EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani addressing Anna’s death was leaked online despite a “do not forward” directive. In the email, Memani acknowledged receiving “an anguished email from Anna’s mother” and expressed his “deepest regret for their irreparable loss.” He referred to Anna’s time at the firm as “short lived” and stated that he had been in touch with her family.
EY India head's email response to overworked employees' death.
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Memani also included links to forums for employees to provide feedback and urged anyone facing difficulties to contact their “team leaders, members of the talent team, and your support network across the firm." He concluded his message by asking employees to handle the information with “utmost compassion and sensitivity.”
Here's How Netizens Reacted To Leaked Email
The leaked email drew criticism online, with many finding it somewhat insensitive. Some users commented that the EY India Chairman seemed unconcerned about the issue at hand. Others pointed out that his response wouldn't bring about any meaningful change. Here's what a few people had to say.
Who Was Anna Sebastian Perayil
Anna Sebastian Perayil, a Chartered Accountant (CA) from Kerala, was a standout student throughout her academic journey. She was a top performer in both school and college, excelled in extracurricular activities, and earned her CA qualification with distinction.
Anna was a part of the audit team at S R Batliboi, joining EY Pune on 18 March 2024. Despite her promising career, her time at the firm was cut tragically short. Her family’s allegations and the subsequent investigation have drawn significant attention to issues of work stress and employee well-being within the firm.
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