It has been a year since Anna Sebastian Perayil, an Audit and Assurance executive at EY, Pune, died aged 26. A few days after her death, her mother Anita Augustine, who had helplessly watched her daughter wilt under work pressure, sent an anguished letter to EY’s leadership. Her letter said how Anna endured backbreaking work and was broken emotionally and physically. It sparked widespread outrage over toxic work culture forcing government intervention and prompting a regretful note from EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani for not being present at Anna’s funeral.
Every day after her death has been painful for Anna’s parents; Siby Joseph and Anita and it only seems to worsen. “We are still in the same pain,” said her father, Siby Joseph, speaking to Onmanorama on her first death anniversary. “The chairman at EY contacted our family after her passing but nothing more from their side. We have not moved legally anywhere, and even the letter my wife wrote to EY was leaked. That was not our intention. Our only motive was to make sure no one else has to go through this again like Anna did.”
Siby added that despite the outpouring of grief, no one from Anna’s immediate team at EY ever reached out to the family. “There was complete silence from those who worked with her every day,” he said.
Anna’s friends, still grappling with the loss, say they are not convinced anything has changed at the workplace that took such a toll on her. “I don’t think anything must have changed at EY even after Anna’s passing,” said Ann Mary, Anna’s best friend and a former employee of the firm. She recalled how Anna’s immediate bosses were allegedly placed on forced work from home for two weeks but remain part of the organisation.
“Employees from EY did reach out to Anna’s parents asking if they could start an initiative in light of what happened,” Ann Mary added. “Anna’s parents said if they wanted to, they could go ahead, but they themselves didn’t want to be associated with it. What they are focusing on now is Anna’s dreams, things she wanted to do and would have done if she were alive. That’s their purpose now.”
Ann Mary also clarified that the compensation Anna’s family received was standard, not a gesture acknowledging what had happened. “It’s the compensation any employee’s family would receive in case of death. It had nothing to do with Anna,” she said. While EY’s chairman reached out personally and apologised, she added, Anna’s team leaders never contacted the family.
Anna’s close circle continues to stand by her parents. Her childhood friend Ann Treasa Joseph shared how deeply the family is still grieving. “Whenever we see Anna’s mother, she breaks down. They are still in shock,” she said. “Many of us have come together to attend her death anniversary. We all miss her so much.”
Even beyond her circle, Anna’s story has resonated. Last year, the All India Professionals’ Congress (AIPC) launched an initiative titled ‘For Anna For All: Workplace Wellness’, aimed at spotlighting toxic work cultures and offering professionals a space to air their grievances. “People from the campaign have been reaching out to us even now,” said Ann Mary.
Anna’s first death anniversary memorial will be held at St. Bharata Mata College Auditorium, Kochi, at 6 pm today, where family, friends and well wishers will gather to remember her.
Anna was known among friends as bright, kind and driven. Despite earlier complaints of chest discomfort and repeated advice from her parents to slow down at work, Anna decided to complete an ongoing project before taking a planned break. One night, she returned from work feeling unwell and collapsed in her paying guest accommodation.
She could not be revived despite CPR and emergency care. The Union Ministry had announced a probe into Anna’s death but progress of investigation remains unknown. When a query was raised in the Lok Sabha on status of probe and details of action taken, the centre’s reply centred around how labour was a subject under the Concurrent list and enforcement is shared between the centre and the state governments.
Onmanorama is awaiting a response from the EY on steps taken following allegations of work pressure that led to Anna’s demise. The article will be updated when a reply is received.