An Ernst & Young (EY) office in Pune, India, is facing scrutiny after a 26-year-old audit executive, Anna Sebastian Perayil, allegedly died due to a high workload. A government investigation revealed that the office has been operating since 2007 without the mandatory labour welfare permit, which regulates working hours under Maharashtra’s Shops and Establishments Act.
Shailendra Pol, Maharashtra’s additional labour commissioner, confirmed that the Pune office failed to apply for proper registration until February 2024, but the application was rejected due to the years of non-compliance. EY now has seven days to explain the lapse. Under the law, violations resulting in the death or serious injury of a worker could lead to imprisonment or a fine of up to ₹500,000.
Perayil’s mother, Anita Augustine, blamed her daughter’s death on an overwhelming workload in a letter to EY India’s chairman, which went viral on social media. She claimed that Perayil worked late nights, including weekends, with no time to rest. Perayil’s family reported that she died of cardiac arrest.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about workplace pressures, following similar cases in the financial sector. Authorities are now investigating whether Perayil was overworked during her four months as an associate at EY, seeking details on employee hours and welfare policies.
EY India has yet to respond to these findings but previously emphasized its commitment to employee well-being, stating it is taking the family’s concerns “with utmost seriousness and humility.”
