Just four months after joining Ernst & Young (EY), chartered accountant Anna Sebastian Perayil passed away in July. According to her parents, she died as a result of the “overwhelming work pressure” at her new position, which negatively impacted her health.
Perayil was given the same responsibilities as other employees, according to EY, which has denied the allegation that stress from her job caused her to pass away.
Her passing has had a profound impact and sparked a conversation about the “hustle culture” that many corporations and start-ups have promoted—a work ethic that places a premium on efficiency.
Some contend that this culture fosters growth and innovation because so many people choose to work longer hours out of desire or passion. Some claim that management frequently puts pressure on staff, which results in burnout and a lower standard of living.
Augustine,Perayil’s mother Anita Augustine wrote a letter to EY that went viral on social media last week, drawing attention to Perayil’s passing. She outlined in the letter the purported strains her daughter had encountered at work, such as working on the weekends and late into the night, and she urged EY to “reflect on its work culture” and take action to put its workers’ health first.
“Anna’s experience sheds light on a work culture that seems to glorify overwork while neglecting the very human beings behind the roles,” she said.
