Young CA Dies From Work Stress; Mother Pens heartbreaking Note on Toxic Work Culture

A 26-year-old Chartered Accountant, Anna Sebastian Perayil, employed at the international consulting firm Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune, died from “work stress,” as claimed by her mother, Anita Augustine, in an email to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani.

In the email, Anita mentioned that Anna completed her CA examinations in 2023 and began working as an executive at EY Pune in March 2024.

“Anna was always a fighter, from childhood to her academic years, where she excelled at everything…She worked relentlessly at EY, giving her all to satisfy the demands made of her. However, the workload, new surroundings, and long hours took a toll on her physical, mental, and emotional health. She began experiencing anxiety, sleeplessness, and stress shortly after enrolling, but she continued, believing that hard work and determination were essential for success,” according to the letter.

Anita stated that several employees had left the company owing to an “excessive workload,” and her daughter’s manager encouraged her to “stick around and change the opinion of everyone about the team.”

“Her manager would frequently rearrange meetings during cricket matches and assign her work at the end of the day, which added to her stress…When she expressed her concerns, she received an arrogant response: ‘You can work at night, that’s what we all do.’ We told her to resign, but she was eager to learn and obtain new experiences. However, the crushing pressure was too much for her,” she explained.

Anita stated that she wrote to Memani because she believes “EY has a profound responsibility to ensure the well-being of its employees. Anna’s story shines light on a work culture that appears to promote overwork while ignoring the very humans who fill the roles. This is not just about my daughter, but about all young professionals who come to EY with high aspirations and goals only to be shattered by unanticipated demands.” Anita further stated that Anna’s death should act as a “wake-up call” for the company.

“It is time to focus on your organisation’s work culture and make effective efforts to prioritise your employees’ health and wellness. This entails fostering an environment in which employees feel safe to speak up, are supported in managing their workload, and their emotional and physical well-being is not compromised for productivity,” she stated.

Anita also regretted that no one from EY attended Anna’s funeral.

“This absence at such a vital time, for an employee who gave her all to the organization until her dying breath, is very upsetting. Anna deserved more, as do all of the people who continue to work under such conditions… I hope my child’s tragedy inspires real change so that no other family has to go through the same pain and agony we had. “My Anna is no longer with us, but her story can still have an impact,” she said.