KOCHI: Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant from Kangarappady, Kochi, tragically passed away from cardiac arrest, which her mother, Anita Augustine, attributed to work-related stress. In a letter to Ernst & Young (EY) India chief Rajiv Memani, Anita alleged that the excessive workload at EY Pune, where Anna had been employed for just four months, led to her untimely death. She emphasized that this issue extends beyond her daughter, affecting many young professionals subjected to unrealistic workplace expectations. The letter has since gone viral on social media.
In response to a query from TOI, Ernst & Young (EY) expressed being “deeply saddened” by the “tragic and untimely passing” of Anna Sebastian Perayil. The firm stated, “We are treating the family’s concerns with the utmost seriousness and humility. The wellbeing of our employees is of the highest priority, and we are committed to continuously improving and ensuring a healthy work environment for the 1,00,000 professionals across EY member firms in India.”
According to her parents, Anna, who began working at Ernst & Young on March 18 this year, had no pre-existing medical conditions. They believe the excessive workload, including tasks beyond regular office hours, led to her untimely death on July 21. “Anna was a fighter throughout her life, excelling in both academics and extracurricular activities. She was a school and college topper, and passed her CA exams with distinction,” her parents shared.
“She worked tirelessly at EY, dedicating herself fully to meet the demands placed on her,” Anita wrote in her letter. She also expressed her deep hurt over the fact that no one from EY attended Anna’s funeral, noting the absence of support for an employee who had given her all to the organization.
Anna’s father, Sibi Joseph Perayil, attributed her death to excessive workload and the resulting stress. “The tasks assigned to Anna were not always hers, but being new to the job, she didn’t resist and often worked long extra hours, including weekends,” Perayil told TOI. He shared that Anna had been planning to celebrate her birthday on August 14 and had sent a voice message to her parents, assuring them she would be home in Kochi for the occasion. Anna is also survived by her brother, Arun Sebastian.
“Anna was a part of the audit team at S R Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global, in Pune, for a brief period of four months, having joined on March 18, 2024. Her untimely passing is a tragic and irreparable loss for all of us. While no actions can truly compensate for the family’s grief, we have extended all the support we provide in such difficult times and will continue to do so,” EY stated.
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