The Ernst & Young (EY) office in Pune, where a 26-year-old who allegedly died after being subjected to excessive workload was employed, has been operating since 2007 without the necessary state permit which regulates work hours, according to a senior government official. This revelation comes as EY faces growing scrutiny over the death of audit executive Anna Sebastian Perayil, with her family blaming the heavy workload for her demise.
Perayil’s death has prompted a central government investigation, highlighting concerns about employee well-being in high-pressure environments. These discussions have intensified following similar incidents, such as the death of a junior banker at Bank of America in May and JPMorgan’s recent decision to create a role focused on addressing employee health.
Shailendra Pol, Maharashtra’s Additional Labour Commissioner, confirmed that EY’s Pune office has been operating without the required registration under the state’s Shops and Establishments Act. The law limits working hours to nine per day and 48 per week. “EY applied for registration only in February 2024, which we rejected because they have been non-compliant since the office opened in 2007,” Pol told Reuters, adding that the company has been given seven days to explain this violation.
Non-compliance with this law, especially if it leads to an accident resulting in serious injury or death, could result in penalties, including imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to Rs 500,000.
In response to the incident, EY has emphasised that it prioritises the well-being of its employees, stating that it is taking the family’s concerns seriously. Perayil’s mother, Anita Augustine, has publicly condemned the “backbreaking” workload her daughter endured, claiming that Anna worked late into the night, even on weekends, without adequate rest.
The Labour Commissioner’s office has requested further details from EY, including records of employee working hours and policies related to worker welfare. Investigations are underway to determine if Perayil was subjected to excessive demands during her four-month tenure at the company.
(With inputs from Reuters)