Labour ministry has launched an investigation into EY after the death of a 26-year-old associate, Anna Sebastian Perayil, was attributed to stress from her demanding workload.
Perayil, who had been employed at EY for just four months, reportedly faced severe physical, emotional, and mental strain due to her job demands. Her mother, Anita Augustine, publicly criticised the firm's working conditions in a letter to EY's India chairman, which has since gone viral on social media.
Labour Minister Shobha Karandlaje confirmed on X that a comprehensive investigation into the alleged unsafe and exploitative work environment at EY is underway. In response, EY has emphasized its commitment to employee well-being and has assured that it is addressing the concerns raised by Perayil's family with utmost seriousness. The firm, which employs around one lakh people across its member firms in India, stressed that it values the health and safety of its staff.
The scrutiny comes amid broader discussions about workplace stress, following similar incidents in other high-pressure roles. In May, the death of a junior banker at Bank of America also highlighted the need for better mental health support in demanding professions. Additionally, JPMorgan has recently created a new role focused on addressing such concerns.
NITES, a union representing IT employees, has called for an independent investigation into Perayil's death and a comprehensive review of working conditions in India's IT and finance sectors. The police in Pune, where Perayil was based, have yet to comment on the specifics of her death.
