A 26-year-old employee of Ernst & Young (EY) Pune tragically succumbed to “work stress” just four months after joining the company. The incident has raised serious concerns about the company’s work culture and the toll it can take on employees’ mental health.
In response to the incident, an EY media team executive told us the company is actively addressing the situation and will soon provide updates on the planned actions.
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The tragic death of the EY employee has prompted a wave of responses on X, particularly from CAs, who are highlighting the toxic work culture. CA Anupam Sharma shared his sorrow on X, noting, “We have lost a young female CA due to the excessive working environment at EY.” Equity Research Analyst Rajneesh Jha echoed the sentiment, adding, “We are moving towards a heartless society.”
In a heart-wrenching letter addressed to EY’s India head, the deceased employee’s mother, Anita Augustine, detailed the immense pressure her son faced during his short tenure at the firm.
She expressed deep concern over the company’s work culture and demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her son’s untimely death.
The young professional was reportedly overwhelmed by the pressures of the job, leading to severe mental health challenges. In her letter, Augustine recounted how her son, Anna Sebastian Perayil, joined EY Pune in March 2024 after passing his CA exams.
Despite his academic achievements and dedication to his work, Anna struggled to cope with the demanding workload and long hours at EY.
Augustine highlighted the excessive workload, lack of support, and mental health challenges faced by Anna during his time at EY.
She described how Anna confided in her about the overwhelming workload, especially the additional tasks assigned verbally, beyond the official work. Despite her advice to prioritise and delegate tasks, Anna felt pressured to meet the relentless demands of her managers.
Augustine expressed her frustration with EY’s lack of empathy and support for Anna, noting that “Anna would never have blamed her managers. She was too kind for that.” She criticised the company for not showing any consideration to new employees and for taking advantage of their vulnerability.
Augustine called for a change in EY’s work culture, highlighting the need to prioritise employee well-being and create a supportive environment. She argued that the relentless demands and pressure to meet unrealistic expectations are not sustainable and can have devastating consequences.
The incident has raised questions about the company’s work culture and the toll it can take on employees’ mental health. Augustine’s letter reminds us why prioritising employee well-being and creating a supportive work environment is crucial.
This incident also comes at a time when workplace mental health is increasingly under scrutiny, with organisations globally being urged to take proactive measures to ensure a supportive work environment.
The EY case could set a precedent for how companies address mental health challenges and handle similar cases in the future.
This is an ongoing story, and we will provide more details as they emerge.