EY employee death: Labour ministry awaits report, assures action based on facts

The Union Labour Ministry on Sep 23 said that it is awaiting the report sought from state officials on the death of a young female Chartered Accountant in July and will take further course of action based on the report.

The report is likely to come in the next 7 to 10 days. Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told reporters, “We have sought the information from the state authorities. It should come in the next seven to 10 [days],” adding, “Reports from the police and the post mortem report will also come in. The government will also speak to the company before taking the action.”

Anna Sebastian Perayil, 26, a Chartered Accountant from Kerala, who was an employee of Ernst & Young (EY), Pune passed away on July 20, due to what her mother claimed increased “work stress."

She worked at the firm for four months only before she passed away. Her mother, Anita Augustine, had also sent an email to EY India chief Rajiv Memani, criticizing the firm for promoting excessive work.

Her death raised questions and concerns about toxic work culture and increasing work-related stress in India.

The minister was previously quoted as saying, “Be it a white collar job or any worker, whenever a citizen of the country dies, it is natural to be saddened by it. The matter is being investigated, and action will be taken based on whatever facts are revealed in the investigation.”

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, on Sep 19 said that the labour ministry has taken up the complaint.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Anna Sebastian Perayil. A thorough investigation into the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment is underway. We are committed to ensuring justice and labour ministry has officially taken up the complaint,” she had posted on X.

Memani, who is Chairman and Managing Director, of EY India, in a LinkedIn post recently expressed sadness over Perayil’s passing away.

“I would like to affirm that the well-being of our people is my top-most priority and I will personally champion this objective. I am absolutely committed to nurturing a harmonious workplace, and I will not rest until that objective is accomplished,” he said.