At just 26 years old, Anna Sebastian Perayil’s life was tragically cut short due to what her family believes was the unbearable strain of her job at EY Pune. Anna, a talented Chartered Accountant from Kerala, joined the firm with dreams and hope, but within just four months, the overwhelming burden of her work became too much to bear. Her mother, Anita Augustine, has written a heart-wrenching letter to Rajiv Memani, the head of EY India, to share the devastating reality of her daughter’s final days and to challenge the company’s troubling culture.
Anna, who had just passed her CA exams in 2023, began her role at EY Pune in March 2024 with an eagerness to prove herself. She threw herself into her work, driven by the belief that hard work and perseverance would lead to success. However, this dedication came at a steep price. Soon after starting, Anna was plagued by anxiety, sleeplessness, and unrelenting stress. Despite her struggles, she pressed on, hoping to overcome the challenges and excel.
Her mother revealed that Anna’s relentless workload was not only excessive but also unrelenting. “She began experiencing severe anxiety and sleepless nights almost immediately,” Anita recounted. “She was pushing herself to the brink, believing that if she just worked harder, things would get better. But it only got worse.”
According to Anita, the situation was exacerbated by her daughter’s manager, who would often add to her stress by rescheduling meetings during cricket matches or giving her last-minute tasks. During an office party, a senior leader even made a cruel joke about Anna’s difficult situation, a reality that her daughter soon faced head-on.
Anita described how Anna worked late into the night and through weekends, often burdened with both assigned and unofficial tasks. “She confided in us about the crushing workload and the constant demands. Despite my advice to avoid extra tasks, the pressure from her managers never eased. She worked tirelessly, with no chance to rest or recover.”
One particularly distressing incident involved a task assigned by her assistant manager late at night, with a deadline the very next morning. When Anna expressed her exhaustion, she was met with the dismissive remark, “You can work at night; that’s what we all do.” This relentless pressure, combined with a lack of support, pushed Anna beyond her limits.
Anita’s letter highlighted the stark contradiction between the company’s professed values and the reality her daughter faced. “Anna was a young professional, new to the company and the city, and she struggled to set boundaries. She was trying to prove herself but ended up pushing herself to the breaking point. And now, she is gone.”
The grieving mother also condemned EY Pune for its lack of empathy and support after Anna’s death. She was deeply hurt by the absence of company representatives at Anna’s funeral and the silence from her managers. “It’s deeply painful that those who should have supported her in her final moments chose to stay away. How can a company that prides itself on human rights fail to show up for one of its own?”
Before her death on July 20, Anna had complained of chest discomfort, which her family initially thought was related to stress. Despite a reassuring medical examination, her condition only worsened. Anita’s letter is a call for change, urging the company to reflect on its work culture and prioritize the well-being of its employees.
“This tragedy should serve as a wake-up call,” Anita pleaded. “It’s time for EY to genuinely embody the values it claims to uphold and take real steps to safeguard the health and happiness of its staff.”
