Ernakulam (Kerala), September 21: The tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a young Chartered Accountant from Kerala employed by EY in Pune, has ignited a national conversation about the pressures of work-life balance and corporate responsibility.
Anna's father, Sibi Joseph, revealed that his daughter frequently expressed her distress over the excessive work pressure she faced, often crying during phone calls. Despite his advice to resign and return home, Anna chose to stay for the exposure and career growth she felt the job offered. Sadly, she collapsed on July 21 and passed away before reaching the hospital.
Joseph highlighted how Anna was overwhelmed by late-night work, insufficient sleep, and additional tasks unrelated to her core responsibilities. Her manager's delayed reviews, influenced by his personal interests, compounded her stress. Joseph's statement has drawn attention to corporate work cultures, particularly the mental health impact of high-pressure environments.
Union Minister Suresh Gopi, after visiting Anna’s family, promised to raise the issue in Parliament and involve relevant agencies to investigate the circumstances of her death. The debate has gained further momentum after a viral letter from Anna's mother, accusing EY's work culture of contributing to her daughter’s death.
In response, EY expressed deep sadness over the incident and acknowledged the seriousness of the family's concerns, emphasizing their commitment to employee well-being.
