Pune, India – In a heart-wrenching incident that has prompted serious discussions about workplace stress and mental health, 26-year-old Anna Sebastian Perayil, an employee at the Pune office of Ernst & Young (EY), has died following a battle with anxiety and stress attributed to her job.
Anna, who passed her Chartered Accountancy (CA) exam in 2023, began her career at EY just a few months ago in March 2024. Her mother, Anita Augustine, has since lodged a formal complaint with the police and sent a poignant email to the company's India head, Rajiv Memani, highlighting the disconnect between the company's professed values on human rights and the reality experienced by her daughter.
In her message, she expressed deep concern over the pressures faced by employees and the detrimental effects on their mental and emotional well-being. According to Anita, Anna's initial excitement at landing her first job quickly turned into overwhelming anxiety, insomnia, and stress. "Soon after joining the company, she started experiencing anxiety, insomnia, and stress, but continued to push herself, believing that hard work and perseverance were the path to success," Anita stated.
She noted that the heavy workload led to many employees resigning, but Anna's manager encouraged her to "stay and change everyone's opinion about the team," which only intensified the pressure. Anita described her daughter as working late into the night and on weekends, often taking on tasks that exceeded her official duties.
Despite seeking medical attention for chest congestion a few weeks prior to her passing, Anna's condition was initially deemed not serious by healthcare professionals.
The cardiologist attributed her symptoms to a lack of sleep and irregular eating habits, advising her to focus on her health. Tragically, Anna passed away on July 20, leaving her family and friends devastated. Her death has sparked conversations about the need for companies to foster healthier work environments and prioritize employee well-being. As the investigation unfolds, many are calling for a review of workplace policies and practices to ensure that no other family has to endure such a tragic loss.