Sharddha Upadhye
Shashi Tharoor urges Parliament to legislate against inhumane work conditions as family and former employees speak out on toxic corporate culture.
New Delhi, September 21, 2024 – In a tragic case that has reignited the discussion on workplace conditions, the death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old Chartered Accountant employed at Ernst & Young (EY), has drawn widespread attention. Anna’s passing, allegedly due to work-induced stress and overburden, has led to calls for reform in corporate work environments.
Anna’s mother, Anita Augustine, penned an emotional letter to EY India’s Chairman, Rajiv Memani, accusing the company of glorifying overwork and fostering a toxic work culture. Describing her daughter’s final months, Anita highlighted how Anna faced overwhelming work pressure, leading to physical and mental exhaustion. In her letter, she pointed to a systemic issue within the company, criticizing the unrealistic demands placed on employees.
“She worked tirelessly to meet the demands of her job, but the constant pressure and long hours took a toll on her health. She complained of chest pains and sleeplessness in the weeks before her passing,” Anita wrote. Despite her deteriorating health, Anna pushed herself, believing that perseverance would lead to success. Tragically, she suffered a cardiac arrest after four months of grueling 14-hour workdays, seven days a week.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor weighed in on the issue, speaking directly to Anna’s father, Sibi Joseph. Expressing deep sympathy for the family’s loss, Tharoor took to social media platform X, stating: “Had a deeply emotional and heartrending conversation with Shri Sibi Joseph, the father of Anna Sebastian. Inhumanity at the workplace must be legislated out of existence with stringent punishment and fines for offenders. Human rights don’t stop at the workplace.”
Had a deeply emotional and heartrending conversation with Shri Sibi Joseph, the father of young Anna Sebastian, who passed away after a cardiac arrest, following four months of deeply stressful seven-day weeks of 14 hours a day at Ernst&Young. He suggested, and I agreed, that I…
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) September 20, 2024
Tharoor further called for legislative intervention to set limits on working hours, advocating for a standardized eight-hour workday, five days a week, across all sectors. He assured that he would raise this issue in the upcoming session of Parliament. “We need to ensure that no employee faces such inhumane conditions ever again,” he added.
This case has not only drawn attention from political figures but also ignited public outcry, with former employees and industry insiders sharing their experiences of intense work pressure at EY. One former EY employee, Joseph Jochu, described the relentless demands and long hours, leading him to resign after just five months due to panic attacks.
Amid growing concerns, the Centre has also launched a probe into Anna’s death. The focus remains on whether corporate environments, especially in high-pressure industries, are doing enough to prioritize the mental and physical well-being of their employees. As the discussion gains momentum, the demand for reforms that ensure healthier, more humane working conditions has reached new heights.
With such cases coming to light, the debate surrounding the balance between work and personal well-being has become more pressing than ever. Anna’s story serves as a grim reminder of the costs associated with unchecked workplace stress, urging corporations to re-evaluate their policies before more lives are tragically lost.
Key Highlights:
- Shashi Tharoor pledges to raise the issue of workplace inhumanity in Parliament, proposing legislation on limiting work hours.
- Anna’s mother writes a letter accusing EY of toxic work culture, calling her daughter’s death a “wake-up call.”
- EY employees share similar stories of overwork, sparking wider conversations about corporate responsibility and employee well-being.
This developing story continues to be closely followed as more voices emerge, calling for a rethinking of corporate work environments.
