Excessive workload causes death of 26-years-old CA! Mother shares ordeal

A 26-year-old chartered accountant, Anna Sebastian Perayil, who worked for Ernst & Young (EY) in Pune, passed away due to what her mother described as “excessive workload.” In a viral letter addressed to EY Chairman Rajiv Memani, Anna's mother, Anita Augustine, expressed her grief and blamed the company’s “callous attitude” for her daughter’s death. Anna had joined EY in March, and according to her mother, the relentless work pressure took a toll on her physical and mental health.

In her letter, Augustine wrote that Anna had always been a high achiever, excelling in her studies and thrilled to start her first job at EY. However, as time went on, the long hours, demanding workload, and stress started to affect Anna’s well-being. She began experiencing anxiety, sleepless nights, and chest discomfort. Despite her struggles, Anna continued working, believing that hard work and perseverance would lead to success.

On July 6, the day before her CA convocation in Pune, Anna’s parents took her to the hospital due to her chest pain. The ECG results were normal, and the doctor attributed her symptoms to stress and lack of sleep. Still, Anna insisted on going to work after the hospital visit, saying she had too much work to take time off. Even on the day of her convocation, Anna worked from home until the afternoon, joining her parents late for the ceremony.

Her mother shared how Anna had long dreamed of attending her convocation with her parents, using her hard-earned money to make the moment special. Sadly, the workload prevented her from fully enjoying that milestone. Augustine described how Anna would often return home utterly exhausted, sometimes collapsing into bed without changing her clothes. Despite raising concerns about her workload to her managers, Anna received little support, with one dismissive comment stating, “You can work at night. That’s what we all do.”

Anna’s mother ended the letter with a poignant message, urging EY to take her daughter’s death as a wake-up call and emphasizing the need to prioritize employee well-being.