A young Chartered Accountant from Kerala, Anna Sebastian Perayil, tragically passed away at the age of 26, just four months after joining EY Pune. Her grieving mother, Anita Augustine, has written a heartfelt letter to EY India’s Chairman, Rajiv Memani, describing the devastating impact of work-related stress on her daughter and the events leading to her untimely death.
“It was my daughter’s great dream to take her parents to her convocation with her own hard-earned money. She booked our flight tickets and took us. 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”, the Mother of CA Anna wrote with a heavy heart in the letter addressed to the EY Chairman.
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CA Anna, a brilliant academic achiever, had passed her CA exams in November 2023 and began her career at EY Pune in March 2024. Despite her excitement and dedication to her new role, the extreme workload and long hours took a toll on her physical and mental well-being. Anita recalls how Anna, a school and college topper, had always been determined and resilient, but the overwhelming pressure at her job became too much to bear.
In her letter, Anita describes how Anna had started experiencing anxiety, sleeplessness, and physical distress soon after joining the company. Despite voicing concerns and seeking medical help, the demands of her work continued to increase, leaving her with little time to recover. Even during her CA convocation, Anna was unable to enjoy the moment as she was still working from home, pushing herself to meet deadlines.
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Anna’s mother painfully recalls the events leading to her daughter’s death, including the physical exhaustion Anna faced, exacerbated by insensitive management practices. Her workload was compounded by additional tasks, constant communication from her managers, and a dismissive response when she voiced concerns. “You can work at night; that’s what we all do,” one manager reportedly told her, dismissing her need for rest.
The letter details how the immense pressure affected Anna mentally and physically, leading to chest pains and severe fatigue. Despite medical consultations that reassured her family it was nothing serious, Anna continued to push herself to meet work expectations. Her mother reflects on how Anna tried to persevere despite the stress, holding onto her belief that hard work would eventually pay off.
On July 20, 2024, Anna’s family was shattered by the news of her passing. Her mother, heartbroken and in disbelief, hopes that no other family will have to endure the same pain. She is calling for better awareness and accountability regarding the mental and physical health of employees, urging companies to reassess their work culture and ensure the well-being of their staff.
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Anna’s death has raised serious concerns about work-related stress and its effects on young professionals in high-pressure environments. The letter serves as a sombre reminder that the pursuit of success should not come at the cost of one’s health, or life. The unfortunate event is a strong case for rework of the work culture at the Big 4 Firms like EY.
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