New Delhi: The central government has announced an investigation following allegations that a 26-year-old woman lost her life due to excessive work pressure. Union Labor Minister Shobha Karandlaje stated that a comprehensive inquiry into workplace exploitation will be conducted, focusing on the circumstances surrounding Ann Sebastian’s death.
Ann Sebastian, a resident of Kangalappadi, Kalamassery in Kochi, collapsed and died at her accommodation. Her parents have publicly accused Ernst & Young, the company where Ann was employed, of contributing to her death due to overwhelming job demands.
Ann joined the Pune office of Ernst & Young on March 19. Despite facing significant work pressure, Ann never blamed management, as her mother mentioned in an open letter to Rajeev Mehta, the chairman of EY India. Ann endured everything and expressed that she wrote the letter to prevent another family from experiencing a similar ordeal.
Ann completed her college education at Sacred Heart College in Kochi and subsequently passed the CA exam before joining Ernst & Young. Her mother said Ann was very happy to be part of the company. However, she lamented that all of Ann’s dreams and hopes were shattered on July 20. Ann’s mother noted that no representatives from EY attended her daughter’s funeral and that she received no response to the letter she sent to the company authorities
Response to the Death of Ann Sebastian by Ernst & Young India
In response to the death of 26-year-old Ann Sebastian, who died after collapsing in her hostel, Ernst & Young (EY) India has stated that it will ensure a healthier working environment across all its institutions nationwide. The company expressed its condolences two months after Ann’s death. Ann, a Malayali, was part of the audit team at SR Batliboi, a sister concern of EY Global in Pune. She tragically fell in her accommodation last July.
Ann’s mother, Anita Agustin, wrote a letter to EY India Chairman Rajeev Mehta, demanding that the company authorities take responsibility for her daughter’s death. This letter recently went viral on social media, highlighting the lack of support from the company following Ann’s passing. Anita noted that no one from the company attended her daughter’s funeral, describing their behavior as exceptionally callous and inhumane. She questioned whether this reflects the company’s work culture, stating that Ann had joined EY as a chartered accountant on March 18 this year and quickly became overwhelmed by job pressure and mental stress.
Anita asserted that the company’s policies regarding employees contributed to her daughter’s death. Ann had joined EY with enthusiasm, having excelled academically throughout school and college. She worked diligently at EY, but the heavy workload took a toll on her health. According to Anita, long hours and a lack of proper rest and sleep severely affected Ann’s well-being. The new environment and competitive pressure added significant mental strain.
EY responded, stating that Ann’s death is an irreplaceable loss, and they expressed deep sorrow over the untimely passing of the employee. They conveyed their profound condolences to the grieving family, emphasizing that no action can compensate for their loss. The company assured that it has always provided all necessary support in such situations and will continue to do so. They acknowledged the seriousness and respect with which they viewed the family’s letter and reiterated their commitment to the well-being of all employees. The company also stated that it would take measures to improve working conditions for over 100,000 employees across its establishments in India.
Days before her death, on July 6, Ann and her husband had traveled to Pune for a CA convocation. After Ann complained of chest pain for a week, they visited a hospital, where tests showed normal results. The cardiologist noted her issues were due to lack of sleep and late meals. Despite this, Ann returned to work, stating she couldn’t take leave.
Following the widespread circulation of Anita’s letter, significant criticism has emerged against the company, accusing it of exploiting employees for excessive profits without regard for their health. Many have pointed out the necessity of preventing the exploitation of workers and the responsibility of companies to pay more attention to their employees’ mental health, ensuring they receive adequate rest and support. Ann’s death is not just an isolated incident; it highlights a broader societal issue. Many people on social media stressed that companies need to recognize the importance of employee welfare alongside profit
