26-Year-Old EY Pune Employee Dies from Work Stress,Mother Criticizes Firm
A 26-year-old EY Pune employee, Anna Sebastian, died from work stress, sparking criticism of the firm
EY Pune employee Anna Sebastian, 26, died from stress, her mother criticized the firm’s work culture
A 26-year-old employee at EY Pune, Anna Sebastian Perayil, tragically passed away in July 2024, with her family attributing her death to severe work stress. Anna, a Chartered Accountant from Kerala, joined the firm in March 2024. Her mother, Anita Augustine, has since written a letter to Rajiv Memani, the head of EY India, expressing her discontent with the company’s work environment.
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According to Augustine, Anna faced intense pressure from the start. Despite her efforts to meet high expectations, she began experiencing significant anxiety, sleeplessness, and stress. Augustine claims that Anna was burdened with excessive workloads and tasks beyond her official duties, which led to late-night and weekend work.
Augustine described how Anna’s manager frequently assigned tasks at inconvenient times and provided little support. In one instance, Anna was given a task with a tight deadline, which compounded her stress. Augustine also mentioned that Anna’s health deteriorated due to the overwhelming demands, with her physical and mental well-being suffering significantly.
In her letter, Augustine criticized EY for glorifying overwork and highlighted a discrepancy between the company’s stated values and the reality of Anna’s work experience. She also noted that no EY employees attended Anna’s funeral, which she found deeply hurtful. Furthermore, Augustine pointed out the lack of response from the company’s management following her daughter’s death.
The exact cause of Anna’s death remains unclear, but Augustine noted that she had complained of chest discomfort in the weeks prior. Despite a normal ECG and medical reassurance that her symptoms were related to stress and irregular eating habits, Anna’s condition worsened, leading to her death on July 20.
Augustine’s letter urges EY to reflect on its work culture and prioritize employee well-being, calling for a realignment of the company’s practices with its proclaimed values. She hopes her daughter’s death will serve as a wake-up call for the company to make meaningful changes to improve the work environment for its employees.
The company described Anna Sebastian’s death as an irreparable loss. She joined EY Global’s S R Batliboi in Pune on March 18, 2024, and had been with the firm for just four months before her passing in July 2024. They expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to her family. The company acknowledged that no measure can fully compensate for the loss, but assured that they have and will continue to offer support during this challenging time.
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