EY employee’s death due to stress reignites ‘work pressure’ debate

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NEW DELHI: India is currently examining the working conditions at Big Four accounting firm EY, following the death of a 26-year-old employee, as confirmed by the country’s Labour Minister on Thursday.

The tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil has raised serious concerns, with her mother attributing it to excessive “work stress” and calling for accountability, according to a report by Reuters.

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Perayil passed away in July, reportedly overwhelmed by an excessive workload that took a severe toll on her physical, emotional, and mental well-being, according to her mother, Anita Augustine. Augustine’s open letter to EY India’s chairman, highlighting the company’s alleged role in her daughter’s distress, quickly gained traction on social media.

“A comprehensive investigation into claims of an unsafe and exploitative working environment is currently underway,” Labour Minister Shobha Karandlaje announced on X.

In response, EY released a statement asserting its commitment to employee well-being. “We prioritise the well-being of all our employees,” the statement read, adding that the firm is treating the family’s concerns with the “utmost seriousness and humility.”

EY India further clarified that Perayil had been employed at one of its member firms for four months, and that the company employs around 100,000 individuals across its Indian network.

This incident comes amid broader discussions about the need to address the impact of high-pressure jobs on mental and physical health, especially after similar tragedies in the finance sector, such as the death of a junior banker at Bank of America in May. In response, some organisations, like JPMorgan, have introduced new roles to tackle such concerns.

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On Thursday, the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), a union representing IT workers, sent a letter to both the Labour and Interior Ministries calling for an independent investigation into Perayil’s death. NITES has also urged a comprehensive review of working conditions across India’s IT and finance sectors, as allegations have surfaced suggesting that Perayil may have taken her own life.

Addressing the situation, EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani issued a statement acknowledging the tragic death and addressing concerns about the company’s absence from Perayil’s funeral, which he said was contrary to the firm’s values. Memani also expressed his personal commitment to fostering a supportive and balanced work environment, vowing to “not rest” until this goal is achieved.