The modern work culture ended the life of a 26 years old chartered accountant. How did India’s work culture become toxic and stressful for the employees?
Anna Sebastian Perayil, a bright and ambitious 26-year-old chartered accountant, was on the brink of a promising career when tragedy struck. After completing her Chartered Accountancy course at one of India’s top institutes, she secured a position at a small accounting firm, where she began to gain valuable experience. But it was her role as an executive at EY Pune, one of the Big Six accounting firms in India that seemed to signal the start of something special. However, what followed instead was a series of tragic events that have since shed light on the growing problem of stress and burnout in India’s corporate sector.
Perayil joined EY in March, right in the midst of the quarterly audit season, an especially stressful period for many young professionals in the accounting industry. The pressure to perform is immense, and employees are expected to meet tight deadlines while managing enormous workloads. Chartered accountants working in Big Six firms like EY face a heavier burden than those in smaller firms. These large companies control over 96,000 smaller accounting firms across India, which means they play a dominant role in the country’s financial services sector. But with that size and influence comes added pressure for employees, especially freshers like Perayil, to consistently overdeliver.
Despite only having four months of experience, Perayil was thrown into a high-pressure environment where the demands placed on her were far greater than she had ever anticipated. As a new hire, she felt the pressure to prove herself, to work long hours, and to ensure she met expectations that were often unrealistic. This scenario is not uncommon in large corporations where young professionals, eager to secure their positions, often feel compelled to overwork themselves. The stress, however, became too much for Perayil. On July 20, after just four months in her new role, she tragically suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital, where she passed away.
What makes this story even more disturbing is what happened—or rather, didn’t happen—after Perayil’s death. Despite her contributions to EY, no employees from the company attended her funeral, and for months, the company remained silent, neither addressing her death nor offering support to her grieving family. It wasn’t until Perayil’s mother lodged a formal complaint with the Union Ministry, three months after her daughter’s death, that the company finally responded.
Perayil’s tragic death is a stark reminder of the unhealthy work culture that persists in many of India’s high-pressure industries, including accounting, finance, and IT. The relentless pressure to meet deadlines, coupled with the expectation to put work before everything else, leaves little room for personal well-being. The lack of work-life balance and the overwhelming stress that professionals face often leads to severe consequences, including physical and mental health problems.
This cases highlights several systemic problems. First, the workload in large firms is often excessive, leaving employees with little time for themselves or their families. Young professionals, especially freshers, are under even more pressure to perform at levels that are often unsustainable. Companies also lack proper mental health support systems. Employees have few places to turn for help, and the stigma surrounding mental health issues only exacerbates the problem. Companies need to implement stronger support services, such as counseling, better communication between management and employees, and policies aimed at preventing burnout. Without these systems in place, employees are left to struggle in silence.
Another major issue is the culture of silence that permeates many companies. When employees face serious health challenges, companies are often reluctant to take responsibility. In Perayil’s case, EY remained silent for months, offering no support or acknowledgment until public pressure forced them to act. This reflects a broader problem in corporate India, where companies prioritize profits and productivity over the well-being of their employees.
The Indian government must also play a role in addressing this growing crisis. There needs to be stricter regulations on work hours, particularly in high-pressure industries where the demands on employees are especially high. For instance, a government committee has recently proposed a 12-hour workday, but this raises concerns about labor rights and the potential for even greater levels of burnout. Comparisons between work cultures in India and other countries like the USA show stark differences. While companies like EY operate globally, the working conditions in India are often more intense and grueling than in other countries.
Moreover, the increasing prevalence of unemployment and layoffs adds even more pressure to employees who fear for their job security. Many feel that they have no choice but to overwork themselves in an effort to avoid being laid off. This relentless pressure, coupled with a lack of support from management, is a recipe for disaster.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau(NCRB) India has seen a sharp rise in suicides due to work-related stress. In 2020 alone, the country reported over 153,000 suicides, with more than 37,000 being “daily wage earners.” The suicide rate in India reached its highest level in 2021 since 1967, with 12 suicides per 100,000 people. Of these, 1.2 percent were government employees, while 7 percent were employed by private companies. Disturbingly, 25 percent of all suicides in 2021 were among daily wage workers, marking an 11 percent increase from the previous year.
Chartered accountants play a crucial role in generating revenue for the government through taxes and other financial contributions. However, the immense pressure on these professionals to meet targets and deadlines is taking a heavy toll. Companies, in their pursuit of revenue generation, are pushing employees beyond their limits, often with fatal consequences.
Perayil Sebastian’s death is a heartbreaking reminder of the urgent need for change. Corporate India must take responsibility for the well-being of its employees. Companies need to foster a healthier work environment, where employees are supported rather than overwhelmed by unrealistic expectations. The government, too, must step in to enforce stricter labor laws, ensuring that no one else has to suffer as Perayil did. It’s time for companies, the government, and society as a whole to come together to create a work culture that values the health and happiness of its employees over profits.
