A 26-year-old employee of Ernst & Young (EY) Pune tragically succumbed to "work stress" just four months after joining the company. The incident has raised serious concerns about the company's work culture and the toll it can take on employees' mental health.

In response to the incident, an EY media team executive told us the company is actively addressing the situation and will soon provide updates on the planned actions. They are taking the family's correspondence with the utmost seriousness.

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The tragic death of the employee has ignited a wave of criticism on X, with many Chartered Accountants (CAs) highlighting concerns about the toxic work environment. CA Anupam Sharma conveyed his sorrow on X, stating, "We've lost a young female CA due to the excessive working conditions at EY." Equity Research Analyst Rajneesh Jha echoed this sentiment, noting, "We are moving towards a heartless society."

In a heart-wrenching letter addressed to EY's India head, the deceased employee's mother, Anita Augustine, detailed the immense pressure her daughter faced during her short tenure at the firm.

Augustine wrote, "My heart is heavy, and my soul is shattered as I pen these words, but I believe it is necessary to share our story in the hope that no other family will have to endure the pain we are going through."

She expressed deep concern over the company's work culture and demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her daughter's untimely death.

The young professional was reportedly overwhelmed by the pressures of the job, leading to severe mental health challenges. In her letter, Augustine recounted how her daughter, Anna Sebastian Perayil, joined EY Pune in March 2024 after passing her CA exams.

Despite her academic achievements and dedication to her work, Anna struggled to cope with the demanding workload and long hours at EY.

Augustine highlighted the excessive workload, lack of support, and mental health challenges faced by Anna during her time at EY.

"She began experiencing anxiety, sleeplessness, and stress soon after joining, but she kept pushing herself, believing that hard work and perseverance were the keys to success." 

She described how Anna confided in her about the overwhelming workload, especially the additional tasks assigned verbally, beyond the official work. Despite her advice to prioritise and delegate tasks, Anna felt pressured to meet the relentless demands of her managers.

Augustine expressed her frustration with EY's lack of empathy and support for Anna, noting that "Anna would never have blamed her managers. She was too kind for that." She criticised the company for not showing any consideration to new employees and for taking advantage of their vulnerability.

Augustine called for a change in EY's work culture, highlighting the need to prioritise employee well-being and create a supportive environment. She argued that the relentless demands and pressure to meet unrealistic expectations are not sustainable and can have devastating consequences.

The incident has raised questions about the company's work culture and the toll it can take on employees' mental health. Augustine's letter reminds us why prioritising employee well-being and creating a supportive work environment is crucial.

"Organisations must prioritise creating a safe and supportive environment where employees feel comfortable seeking help and expressing their concerns," highlights Dr Jini K Gopinath, Chief Psychology Officer, YourDost.

This incident also comes at a time when workplace mental health is increasingly under scrutiny, with organisations globally being urged to take proactive measures to ensure a supportive work environment.

The EY case could set a precedent for how companies address mental health challenges and handle similar cases in the future.

This is an ongoing story, and we will provide more details as they emerge.