Ernst & Young (EY) India Chairman, Rajiv Memani, has issued a heartfelt statement following the tragic death of a 26-year-old employee, Anna Sebastian Perayil, who reportedly passed away due to overwork. Memani expressed deep sorrow and emphasized the company’s commitment to the well-being of its employees, stating that he “would not rest” until a harmonious workplace is established.
Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, wrote a poignant letter to Memani, highlighting the excessive workload that allegedly contributed to her daughter’s death, which occurred just four months after she joined EY’s Pune office.
EY Chairman’s Statement
In a post on LinkedIn, Memani conveyed his condolences to the family and reflected on the pain of Anna’s mother, saying: “I am deeply saddened, and as a father, I can only imagine Ms. Augustine’s grief. I truly regret the fact that we missed being present at Anna’s funeral. This is completely alien to our culture. It has never happened before; it will never happen again.”
Memani acknowledged public concerns regarding EY’s work practices and emphasized that employee well-being remains his “top-most priority.” He added that he is personally committed to creating a balanced and supportive work environment.
Mother’s Heartbreaking Letter
In her letter, Augustine recounted Anna’s excitement about her first job at EY after passing her chartered accountancy (CA) exams in November 2023. However, her joy was short-lived, as the young employee struggled with intense work pressure, which reportedly led to health issues.
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Anna had complained of chest constriction and extreme fatigue from working late hours. Despite medical advice, she continued going to work, citing an overwhelming workload. Her mother expressed deep anguish, writing:
“It breaks my heart to tell you that even during those two days, which were the last we would spend with our child, she couldn’t enjoy them because of the work pressure.”
Augustine further lamented that no representative from EY attended her daughter’s funeral, describing it as a deeply hurtful oversight. She hoped her letter would serve as a catalyst for change, ensuring no other family endures the same grief.
ALSO READ: Mother’s heartbreaking letter to EY India: A plea for change after daughter’s tragic death due to ‘overwork’
Government Investigation
The Union government has launched an investigation into Anna’s death, following public outcry and concern. Junior Union Minister of Labour, Shobha Karandlaje, responded to a post on X by BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who termed the incident “very sad but also disturbing.” Karandlaje assured that a thorough inquiry into the work environment at EY is underway, pledging that the Ministry of Labour is fully committed to ensuring justice.
