Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant who had recently joined Ernst & Young (EY) Pune, has tragically died due to what her family claims was extreme work stress. It is a heartbreaking incident. Important concerns raised About corporate work culture, especially for young professionals joining the workforce.
The end of a promising career
Anna Sebastian Perayil, a young chartered accountant from Kerala, cleared her CA exams in 2023 and joined EY Pune in March 2024. This was her first job and she worked diligently to meet the firm's expectations. However, the excessive workload and constant pressure led to a decline in her health and she tragically passed away just four months after joining her new role.
Overwork and stress: The silent killers
According to Anna's mother, Anita Augustine, her daughter's stress and anxiety began soon after she started the job. Anna had sleepless nights and was subjected to a lot of pressure, often working late into the night and on weekends. Her manager reportedly rescheduled meetings during cricket matches and regularly assigned work at the end of the day, which added to her stress. A senior leader joked at an office party about the difficulties Anna would face under her manager, a reality she could not escape.
Glorifying excessive work
In an email to EY's India head Rajiv Memani, Anna's mother criticised the firm for “glorifying overwork.” Despite being new to the job, Anna was burdened with both official duties and verbal overtime. Augustine described how Anna's health deteriorated as she struggled to keep up with the excessive demands. Her daughter would often return home exhausted, collapse on the bed and then receive more work messages.
A warning for corporates
Anna's tragic death should be a wake-up call for organisations, especially those in high-pressure industries. His mother urged EY to rethink its work culture and take meaningful steps to prioritise employee well-being. Many, including political leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, echoed these sentiments, calling on companies to reevaluate their HR policies and focus on mental health, especially for young professionals transitioning from student life to the corporate world.
Change time
Anna Perayil's untimely death has exposed the harsh realities of corporate overwork. Her mother's appeal to EY and similar organisations is simple but profound: prioritise the well-being of your employees, because no job should cost lives.
