Death of an EY employee: report due in 10 days

The Ministry of Labor and Employment is investigating an alleged “unsafe and exploitative working environment” days after the death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, who worked at SR Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global.

At a press conference, Mandaviya said: “We have already sought information from our state officials. Only after a … report can we say anything on this issue.”

He further stated that the incident is being investigated and action will be taken if necessary.

“We don't have to blame the establishment. The report should be ready in a week or ten days,” he said.

Perayil was a 26-year-old Chartered Accountant (CA) who allegedly died due to extreme work pressure at the company.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Anna Sebastian Perayil. A thorough investigation into the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment is underway. We are committed to ensuring justice is done and the Ministry of Labour has formally taken up the complaint,” Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje said on X early last week.

Last week, EY issued a statement saying: “We are deeply saddened by Anna Sebastian’s tragic and untimely passing in July 2024.”

EY has been in contact with the plaintiff since her death and has been supporting her. But it was only now that the family decided to write to the company and complain about the “excessive workload,” it said.

EY has announced that it will continue to improve workplaces and ensure healthy workplaces in its offices across the country.

Anna Sebastian Perayil, who passed her CA exams in 2023, worked at EY's Pune office for four months before she succumbed. Earlier this month, her mother wrote to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani, pointing out the “glorification” of overwork at the multinational consulting firm.

“Anna was part of the audit team at SR Batliboi, a member firm of EY Global, in Pune for a short period of four months and joined the firm on March 18, 2024. That her promising career has ended in this tragic way is an irreparable loss for all of us,” EY said in the statement.

The company further stated that while no action can compensate for the family's loss, the company has provided and will continue to provide every possible support.

“We receive the family's correspondence with utmost sincerity and humility. The wellbeing of all employees is of paramount importance to us and we will continue to look for ways to provide and improve a healthy workplace for our 100,000 employees in EY member firms in India,” the report said.