The tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old Chartered Accountant employed at Ernst & Young (EY), has ignited a fierce debate on workplace conditions and the toll of overwork.
Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale has vowed to raise this critical issue in Parliament. He will be demanding immediate action to address toxic practices within private firms.
Anna Sebastian Perayil, a bright professional who passed her CA exams in 2023, worked at EY’s Pune office. She worked there for just four months before her untimely demise.
According to her mother, Anita Augustine, Anna was subjected to relentless work pressure, sleepless nights, and an excessive workload.
The toxic environment allegedly took a toll on her health, ultimately leading to her passing.
MP Saket Gokhale’s Call to Action
In an official statement, Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale expressed deep concern over Anna’s death. He highlighted the need for urgent investigations into the working conditions at EY and other private firms.
Saket emphasized that this tragedy was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern affecting employees across consultancies and corporations.
“It has been extremely disturbing and concerning to read the recent letter of Anita Augustine, where she described how her daughter Anna Sebastian Perayil passed away due to being made to overwork in a toxic work environment at her firm,” tweeted Saket.
He further criticized the government’s lack of enforcement when it comes to protecting employees from unfair practices.
Despite existing labor laws, the plight of workers often goes unnoticed, especially when powerful corporates and multinational companies are involved.
Response from EY
EY, one of the Big Four audit firms, acknowledged Anna Sebastian’s tragic passing and expressed deep sadness. The company had been in touch with Anna’s family since July 2024, providing support during their difficult time.
However, it was only recently that Anna’s family chose to write to EY, highlighting the “excessive workload” as a contributing factor to her death.
In its official statement, EY said, “We are deeply saddened by Anna Sebastian’s tragic and untimely passing.”
The company added, “We remain committed to improving workplace conditions and fostering a healthy environment in all our offices across the country.”
Anna’s case sheds light on the larger issue of work-related stress and burnout. As professionals strive to meet demanding targets, mental and physical health often take a backseat.
Calls for better work-life balance, mental health support, and stricter adherence to labor laws are growing louder.
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