Recently, the toxic work culture at Ernst & Young (EY) has come under intense scrutiny following the tragic death of a 26-year-old employee, Anna Sebastian Perayil, in Pune, India. Perayil’s death is seen as a symbol of the extreme stress and work pressure associated with the “hustle culture” endemic in major corporations, particularly the Big Four accounting firms—EY, Deloitte, KPMG, and PwC. This culture, characterized by long hours, high pressure, and minimal work-life balance, has sparked outrage both online and in the corporate community.
Perayil, a chartered accountant at EY’s Pune office, passed away in July 2024 after just four months on the job. Her mother, Anita Augustine, penned a heartfelt letter to EY India, detailing the grueling work conditions her daughter endured. Anna frequently worked late into the night, including weekends, while dealing with severe stress, anxiety, and physical health issues. Despite showing signs of distress, including chest pains, she continued working, determined to succeed in a highly demanding environment.
The company, however, rejected claims that work pressure contributed to her death. In its response, EY India expressed sadness over her passing but maintained that her workload was standard for any employee at the firm. Despite this, numerous current and former employees shared similar stories of burnout, unrealistic expectations, and a toxic work environment. This tragedy amplified the conversation about the hidden costs of overwork and how companies like EY prioritize profitability over employee well-being.
The situation at EY is not unique. It highlights a broader issue in the Indian corporate landscape, where long hours and a glorification of overwork have become normalized. In the Indian Big Four firms, 12 to 16-hour workdays are common, even during non-peak seasons, and employees report a lack of support in managing workload and stress. The expectation to work beyond regular hours and sacrifice personal time for career growth has led many young professionals to suffer from chronic stress and health problems.
The outpouring of grief and criticism following Perayil’s death is evidence of the growing frustration among employees. Many professionals took to social media to voice their concerns about the systemic problems within EY and other large firms. The pressure to perform in a highly competitive environment often leads to burnout, with employees feeling they have no choice but to comply with extreme work demands if they want to succeed.
Beyond the public’s reaction, the incident has prompted a call for change, with experts urging companies to take employee well-being seriously. Dr. Jini K Gopinath, a psychology expert, emphasized the need for organizations to create a safe and supportive work culture where employees can openly discuss their struggles without fear of judgment. Mental health advocates have also stressed the importance of work-life balance, adequate rest, and stress management, as ignoring these issues can have fatal consequences.
This tragic case, combined with similar stories from employees at other firms, underscores the detrimental effects of “hustle culture.” In today’s hyper-competitive corporate world, especially in countries like India, the emphasis on long hours and productivity at the expense of personal well-being has created environments where burnout is rampant, and the mental and physical health of employees is jeopardized.
While companies like EY have issued statements promising to take these concerns seriously, the ongoing debate about work culture in high-pressure industries suggests that systemic changes are needed to prevent further tragedies. It is becoming clear that organizations must not only offer support but also foster cultures that prioritize humane working conditions over relentless pursuit of productivity. This case serves as a painful reminder that, in the corporate race for success, the human cost is often too high.
The death of Anna Sebastian Perayil should be a wake-up call for firms like EY to rethink their approach to employee well-being before more lives are lost to a toxic culture of overwork.
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