Death of a 26-year-old woman triggers outcry over work culture at Ernst & Young (EY)

The tragic news has raised serious concerns about the working culture at the global consulting firm, highlighting issues such as overwork and employee wellbeing. Anna Sebastian's story is a powerful reminder of the urgent need for empathy and support in professional environments. (Read more below)

In a poignant letter that went viral, a grieving mother claims her daughter Anna Sebastian died due to the overwhelming demands of her job at Ernst & Young (EY) just four months after starting work. The tragic news has raised serious concerns about the work culture at the global consulting firm.

Anna Sebastian, who joined EY in Pune on March 19, 2024, died on July 20, 2024 at the age of 26. In her letter to Rajiv Memani, Chairman of EY India, Anita Augustine described her daughter as a vibrant personality who was excited to start her career after successfully passing her chartered accountant exams. “She was full of life, dreams and excitement for the future,” Augustine wrote, expressing her despair at losing her child so suddenly.

In her letter, Augustine described in detail how Anna's once-blooming mind was destroyed under the pressure of a demanding work environment. She highlighted the long working hours, sleepless nights and excessive workload that Anna faced, which ultimately led to the deterioration of her health.

Augustine's letter was not only a personal lament, but also a call for EY to rethink its work culture. She criticized the company for what she called the “glorification of overwork” and called on management to recognize the humanity behind the roles. “This isn't just about my daughter; this is about every young professional who comes to EY full of hopes and dreams and then crumbles under the weight of unrealistic expectations,” she wrote.

She reported instances where Anna was overwhelmed with tasks and even worked late into the night and on weekends, often at the expense of her health and well-being. Although her mother warned her about the rigors of such demands, Anna felt compelled to meet expectations, believing that hard work was essential to her success.

Company response

In response to the outpouring of grief and criticism, EY expressed its deep sadness over Anna's untimely death in a statement. “While no measure can compensate for the family's loss, we are providing all possible assistance, as we always do in such times of need,” the company said. They acknowledged the seriousness of Augustine's concerns and emphasized their commitment to improving working conditions for their employees.

EY said: “We place the highest priority on the wellbeing of all employees and will continue to look for ways to provide a healthy workplace for our 100,000 employees in EY member firms in India.”

Augustine recounted the painful circumstances of Anna's final days, including a stressful graduation party that kept Anna busy with work. Despite her accomplishments and potential, Anna felt trapped in an environment that demanded too much of her too soon. Augustine expressed regret that no EY representative attended her daughter's funeral, a gesture that deeply hurt the family.

Emphasize family

“Anna's experience shines a light on a workplace culture that neglects the people behind the roles,” Augustine wrote. She hopes her daughter's tragic story will spark meaningful change within the company so no other family has to endure such suffering.

As the conversation around workplace culture and mental health grows, Anna Sebastian's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and support in the workplace.

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