Maharashtra Labour Officials Investigate Working Conditions at EY's Pune Office After Employee's Death

On Monday, the Maharashtra Labour Department inspected the EY Pune office following the death of 26-year-old Chartered Accountant Anna Sebastian Perayil, who reportedly passed away due to overwork. Senior officials visited the site to gather information and evaluate the working conditions.

Pune Additional Labour Commissioner Shailendra Pol stated that officials reviewed various documents related to Anna's employment and requested EY to submit these documents to the department within seven days. "We assessed the working conditions and the current situation at the office. We also sought information regarding the company's working rules, welfare policies, and regulations concerning overtime," Pol said.

Additionally, Pol noted that they examined the deceased’s appointment letter along with the relevant rules and regulations. "Once we receive all the requested information, we will compile a report for the Central government, which will determine the next steps," he added.

This inspection comes in response to allegations made by Anna’s mother, who asserted that her daughter's death was a result of excessive workload and pressure at EY. The Union Labour Ministry has acknowledged the complaint and a thorough investigation is currently underway.

Anna Sebastian Perayil, a young chartered accountant from Kerala, had been employed at EY’s Pune office for four months before her death on July 20, which was reportedly attributed to ‘overwork.’ Her passing has ignited a nationwide conversation about work-life balance, mental health, and corporate accountability.

In light of the situation, EY released a statement expressing profound sadness over Anna’s death. This statement followed a heartfelt letter from the victim’s mother that gained traction on social media, alleging that the firm’s work culture and demanding workload contributed to her daughter’s passing. The letter outlined Anna’s battles with anxiety, insomnia, and stress due to her overwhelming responsibilities, highlighting instances where her manager prioritised work over employee well-being.

EY acknowledged the victim’s short time at the firm and extended condolences to her family. In response to the allegations, EY stated, “We are addressing the family’s concerns with the utmost seriousness and humility. The well-being of all our employees is our top priority, and we will continue to explore ways to enhance and maintain a healthy work environment for our 100,000 employees across EY member firms in India.” The firm assured that it has offered support to the family and will continue to do so moving forward.