In a heart-wrenching incident that has brought corporate work culture under scrutiny, Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant employed at Ernst & Young (EY), tragically lost her life in July 2024.
Her death has raised serious concerns about the mental and physical toll faced by young professionals in high-pressure industries.
The Tragic Incident and Concerns from NHRC on EY Employee Death
Anna Sebastian Perayil, a promising young professional, had been working at EY’s Pune office for only four months when she passed away.
Her family alleges that the excessive workload and intense work pressure took a toll on her physical and mental health, ultimately leading to her demise.
The circumstances surrounding her death prompted the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to take action.
NHRC expressed grave concern over Anna’s untimely death. In a statement issued on Saturday, the commission called upon the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment to provide a comprehensive report on the case.
NHRC highlighted the need to investigate the impact of corporate work culture on young employees, particularly in fields like finance, consulting, and law.
Stress, anxiety, and relentless pursuit of unattainable targets were cited as factors leading to “grave violations of their human rights”.
EY Under Scrutiny: The Core Group on Business and Human Rights
In response to growing concerns around workplace safety, NHRC has formed a ‘Core Group on Business and Human Rights.’
This body aims to review existing labor legislations and regulations. The goal is to create robust recommendations for both central and state governments.
The objective is to ensure that businesses in India align their practices with global human rights standards and foster healthy, humane work environments.
Anna’s mother penned an emotional letter to EY India chairman Rajiv Memani. In the letter, she accused the firm of creating an unbearable working environment that contributed to her daughter’s deteriorating health.
Long hours, intense pressure, and prioritization of work over employee well-being were highlighted as key issues. While EY has not been explicitly named, the company’s practices have come under scrutiny following Anna’s tragic passing.
Nirmala Sitharaman’s Statement and Reactions from Ministry
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the issue during an event at a private medical college.
Without directly mentioning Anna or EY, she emphasized the importance of inner strength and stress management for students.
Nirmala called for educational institutions to impart not only academic knowledge but also life skills. Her remarks sparked debate, with some criticizing her for allegedly blaming the victim.
Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal criticized Sitharaman’s comments as “outright cruel.” He accused the Union Minister of insensitivity and blamed the victim.
KC Venugopal’s post on social media highlighted the pain faced by ordinary employees, contrasting it with the perceived favor shown to corporate giants.
Note: We are also on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google News, and YouTube, to get the latest news updates, Subscribe to our Channels. WhatsApp– Click Here, Google News– Click Here, YouTube – Click Here, and LinkedIn– Click Here.
