The sudden demise of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant working at SR Batliboi & Co (a member firm of EY Global), has sent shockwaves through the corporate world.
Anna’s tragic death, attributed to overwork and intolerable stress, has prompted the Big Four audit firms—Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC—to reevaluate their work culture and implement employee-friendly measures.
Anna Sebastian Perayil collapsed at her workplace, succumbing to a heart attack.
Her mother, Anita Augustine, penned a heartfelt letter to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani, highlighting the glorification of overwork within the multinational firm.
The letter went viral, sparking a nationwide debate on workplace stress and the toll it takes on employees’ health.
EY Tragedy: Big Four Firms Respond
In the wake of Anna’s untimely death, the Big Four firms have taken significant steps to address the toxic work culture prevalent in their organizations.
The firms are actively promoting well-being programs, emphasizing mental health awareness, and encouraging employees to seek help when needed.
PwC’s AI Listener Tool: Earlier this year, PwC introduced an innovative AI listener tool designed to gauge employee sentiment.
This tool analyzes data related to issues like unused leave days and appraisal feedback, providing valuable insights into the well-being of the workforce.
By actively monitoring employee experiences, PwC aims to create a more supportive and empathetic environment.
KPMG Setting Boundaries: Junior staff members at KPMG report unprecedented levels of attentiveness and consideration from their superiors, signaling a shift toward a more compassionate work environment.
Sanjeev Krishan, Chairperson of PwC India, has been at the forefront of emphasizing employee well-being during his regular staff interactions.
A KPMG consulting manager, speaking anonymously, expressed hope that this phase of cooperation and understanding will endure
The firms are enforcing boundary management, recognizing the importance of work-life balance.
BSR & Co, a KPMG affiliate firm, took a proactive step by advising against excessive after-hours communication and meetings.
They encouraged employees to push back on unreasonable client deadlines and emphasized the importance of respecting work-life boundaries.
This signals a departure from the traditional “always-on” culture prevalent in the industry.
Deloitte’s Proactive Measures: Deloitte CEO Romal Shetty acknowledged the need for change. In a yammer message to all Deloitte employees, he emphasized putting people first and not compromising health for results.
The company has constituted a panel to review its people processes and is actively promoting initiatives like “Back Benchers,” confidential counseling helplines, and flexible working options.
Shashi Tharoor’s Advocacy
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor met with Anna’s parents and discussed the need for accountability and new regulations.
Shashi advocates for legislating fixed working hours—no more than eight hours a day, five days a week. His suggestion was for both public and private sector organizations.
He firmly believes that inhumanity at the workplace must be eradicated through stringent punishment and fines for offenders.
In summary, the Big Four audit firms are now on a mission to create a healthier work environment. They aim to build a culture that values its employees’ well-being over relentless productivity.
The demanding culture at top firms—driven by high-billing expectations, quick turnaround times, and unpredictable workloads—often leads to high-pressure situations.
Many managers and directors lack training in handling people-related issues, exacerbating stress for their teams. The firms are now addressing this gap.
Shashi Tharoor’s advocacy adds weight to the cause, urging companies to prioritize humanity and accountability.
Note: We are also on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google News, and YouTube, to get the latest news updates, Subscribe to our Channels. WhatsApp– Click Here, Google News– Click Here, YouTube – Click Here, and LinkedIn– Click Here.
