Anna Sebastian Perayil has died due to Overwork load: A grieving mother has penned a powerful letter to Ernst & Young (EY) India’s chairman, Rajiv Memani, urging the company to address a toxic work culture after her 26-year-old daughter died just four months after joining the organization. Anna Sebastian Perayil, a chartered accountant, passed away due to extreme stress and overwork, according to her mother, Anita Augustine.
A Mother’s Plea for Change
In her letter, Anita Augustine detailed the tragic circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death, hoping it would serve as a wake-up call for EY to reevaluate its treatment of employees. She accused the firm of glorifying overwork while ignoring the well-being of its staff. Augustine’s plea highlights the urgent need for organizations to prioritize the mental and physical health of their employees.
“My daughter Anna joined EY Pune in March 2024, thrilled to be starting her first job after passing her CA exams,” wrote Augustine. “But just four months later, in July, my world shattered when I was informed that my bright, hardworking daughter had died. She was only 26.”
Overwork and Mental Health Struggles
Anita Augustine described her daughter as an accomplished and driven individual who excelled in both academics and extracurricular activities. However, the overwhelming demands of her role at EY quickly took a toll on her. Despite her best efforts to adapt, Anna began to suffer from anxiety, sleeplessness, and stress, all symptoms of the extreme pressure she faced.
“Anna’s team at EY had a reputation for high turnover due to excessive workloads, and she was encouraged to stay to help change that perception,” Augustine recalled. “But the long hours and relentless pressure became too much for her.”
A Devastating Final Week
The situation came to a head in early July, when Augustine and her husband traveled to Pune to attend Anna’s CA convocation. During their visit, Anna complained of chest pain, but after a hospital visit, doctors assured the family that it was likely due to stress and poor sleep, prescribing antacids. Tragically, despite her declining health, Anna insisted on continuing to work even on the day of her convocation.
“Even in those last days we spent together, she couldn’t fully enjoy them because of her workload. It breaks my heart that work pressure robbed her of those precious moments,” said Augustine.
Call for a Culture Shift at EY
In her letter, Augustine accused Anna’s managers of assigning verbal tasks beyond her official workload and expressed frustration at their dismissive attitude toward her daughter’s concerns.
“Her managers told her to work through the night if necessary, and she often returned home exhausted, only to be asked for more reports,” Augustine wrote. “Anna didn’t have the experience or the power to push back against these unreasonable demands.”
Augustine urged EY to reexamine its work culture, particularly how it treats newcomers. “Anna’s story is not just about her; it’s about all young professionals who join with hopes and dreams, only to be crushed by the weight of unrealistic expectations.”
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EY’s Response
In a public statement, EY India expressed condolences to the family, calling Anna’s death an “irreparable loss.” The company pledged to take the family’s concerns seriously, emphasizing that employee well-being is a top priority.
“We are deeply saddened by Anna Sebastian’s tragic passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family. We are taking the family’s correspondence with the utmost seriousness and will continue to prioritize employee health and wellness,” the statement read.
Despite these assurances, Augustine remains determined to see real change at EY, hoping her daughter’s tragic story will inspire the firm to take meaningful steps toward creating a healthier, more supportive workplace for its employees.