Work Stress : A 26-year-old woman working at EY Pune, a leading Big Four accounting firm, tragically passed away due to what her family believes was work-induced stress, only four months after joining the company. Anna Sebastian Perayil, a Chartered Accountant (CA) from Kerala, had recently embarked on her professional career when the excessive workload became too overwhelming. In the aftermath of her untimely death, her grieving mother, Anita Augustine, has written a heartfelt letter to EY’s India head, Rajiv Memani, accusing the company of promoting a toxic work culture that glorifies overwork.
A Promising Start Turns Tragic
After clearing her CA exams in 2023, Perayil joined EY Pune in March 2024 as an executive. It was her first job, and she was eager to prove herself. However, her dedication came at a steep cost. According to her mother, Perayil’s work life quickly became overwhelming. Augustine revealed that her daughter experienced severe anxiety, sleeplessness, and work stress soon after starting her role, but continued pushing herself, believing that hard work and perseverance were the keys to success.
Overwork and Unreasonable Expectations
Augustine highlighted that many employees in her daughter’s team resigned due to excessive workloads. However, Perayil’s manager encouraged her to stay on, suggesting she could change the negative perceptions about their team. Despite her efforts, the pressure only grew worse. Augustine described incidents where meetings were rescheduled during cricket matches, and tasks were assigned late in the day, further increasing her daughter’s stress levels.
During an office party, a senior leader even joked that Perayil would have a tough time working under her manager—a prediction that sadly came true.
Relentless Work Hours
Perayil often worked late into the night and even on weekends, with little time to rest or recover. Augustine recounted how her daughter frequently shared stories of her overwhelming workload. Much of this work was assigned verbally, beyond her official responsibilities. One particular incident stood out: Perayil’s assistant manager called her late at night with a task that needed to be completed by the next morning, leaving her with almost no time to rest. When she expressed concerns, her manager’s dismissive response was, “You can work at night; that’s what we all do.”
Health Decline and Tragic Outcome
Weeks before her death, Perayil had been experiencing chest constriction and was taken to a hospital in Pune. Although her ECG results were normal, and the cardiologist attributed her symptoms to lack of sleep and poor eating habits, prescribing antacids, the reality was far more serious. She passed away on July 20, 2024.
A Call for Change
In her letter, Augustine accused EY of fostering a culture of overwork that ultimately cost her daughter’s life. She emphasized the disparity between the company’s professed values of employee welfare and human rights, and the reality her daughter endured. Perayil, new to both the job and the environment, lacked the experience to set boundaries or refuse unreasonable demands.
The grieving mother urged the company to reflect on its work culture and take meaningful steps to prioritize employee well-being. She further expressed disappointment that none of Perayil’s colleagues attended her funeral, despite her dedication to the company.
A Wake-Up Call for Corporates
This heartbreaking incident sheds light on the growing issue of workplace stress and its devastating consequences. It serves as a sobering reminder for companies to take employee well-being seriously, implement better work-life balance policies, and ensure that no one has to push themselves beyond their limits for the sake of their career.
While EY Pune has yet to issue a formal response, Perayil’s death is a stark warning to organizations about the cost of overwork and the urgent need to cultivate healthier, more supportive work environments.