Government launches investigation into death of young EY’er due to ‘work stress’
The Indian government has officially launched an investigation into the death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old EY employee in Pune, following allegations that work-related stress contributed to her untimely passing.
On Thursday last week, the passing away of Anna Sebastian Perayil made the headlines after her mother, Anita Augustine, wrote a letter to EY accusing the company of overworking her daughter. That letter went viral on Instagram and LinkedIn, leading to widespread outrage about the firm’s dealings and corporate culture.
Anna had joined EY in March 2024 and was, according to her mother, overwhelmed by the workload and intense pressure. Despite voicing her concerns, her pleas were allegedly dismissed by managers, exacerbating her mental and physical decline. Over time, began experiencing chest pain, sleepless nights, and increasing anxiety. She passed away just four months into her tenure.
In a reaction on the case, EY expressed condolences and emphasized its commitment to a healthy work environment, yet denied that work pressure directly caused her death.
Minister of State for Labour Shobha Karandlaje has now announced that the government will be investigating the case, stating that justice must be served and employee safety guaranteed. This move follows widespread criticism, with social media igniting discussions about the “toxic work culture” prevalent in large firms like EY, which is one of the four largest and reputable accounting and consulting firms in the world.
Stress in the workplace
This tragic case has brought the conversation surrounding workplace stress to the forefront. The dangers of work-related stress, which can manifest in a range of physical and mental health issues, cannot be understated. High workloads, tight deadlines, and lack of work-life balance have been linked to conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, and depression.
When employees face such pressure with limited mental health support or understanding from management, it can lead to burnout or much worse.
Globally, regulators are increasingly looking into workplace well-being. Countries such as Japan and South Korea have implemented laws limiting excessive overtime, while some European countries and Australia enforce policies allowing employees to disconnect from work after hours.
The government's investigation into Anna’s death may encourage India to rethink its own labor laws and introduce safeguards to protect employees from overwork and its devastating consequences.
Overwork is a notorious issue in India. On average, Indians work 46.7 hours per week, compared with 38 hours for Americans, according to the International Labor Organization. They also beat other Asian countries, including Japan (36.6), South Korea (38.6) and China (46.1).
Last year, Indian tech billionaire and Infosys founder Narayana Murthy set off controversy after saying young Indians should be working 70 hours a week to help the country compete on the global stage.
