Arey tum 11 baje log out kar diye?’: Big Four employees break silence on gruelling work schedules post-EY controversy
Arey tum 11 baje log out kar diye?’: Big Four employees break silence on gruelling work schedules post-EY controversy
The recent death of EY employee Anna Sebastian Perayil has sparked widespread concern about the working conditions at major audit firms. Employees from the Big Four Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC are now stepping forward to share their own stories of stress and exhaustion, pointing to a lack of work-life balance in these high-pressure environments.
A former Deloitte employee, Jain, recounted his experience, saying, “With the EY case getting some light, I would like to share my personal experience at Deloitte. Attaching some screenshots of chats with my teammate where we were discussing the work and our health at 5 AM in the morning. We used to work for around 20 hours, and they wouldn’t even let us charge more than 15 hours. I can totally understand what Anna would have gone through.” He went on to emphasize that employees often feel like just a number to their companies, adding, “But for your family, you are everything. Corporate life is tough. Glad that I was able to get out from there in time.”
Along with his testimony, Jain shared screenshots of conversations with a colleague, highlighting the strain caused by overworking and irregular hours. Their chats showed how they navigated long shifts, often working through the night, which impacted their mental and physical well-being.
Responding to Jain’s post, CS Jigar Shah shared that his sister, a former employee at one of the Big Four firms, had also struggled with an overwhelming workload and the absence of boundaries. “My sister (working with one of the Big4) faced the issues. She was at the dentist, and her senior messaged, saying to at least reply immediately and do the work after a few hours. He got irritated when she said that she wouldn’t be able to respond the entire day (on a non-working day),” Shah wrote, reflecting a common theme of unrealistic expectations and pressure even during personal time.
In response to the tragic incident and mounting complaints, Minister of State for Labour Shobha Karandlaje confirmed that an investigation into the matter is underway. “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Anna Sebastian Perayil. A thorough investigation into the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment is underway. We are committed to ensuring justice & @LabourMinistry has officially taken up the complaint,” she stated.
The case of Anna, a 26-year-old who had passed her CA exams in 2023 and worked at EY’s Pune office for just four months, has drawn significant attention. Her death, allegedly caused by extreme work pressure, has amplified concerns about work-related stress and the treatment of young professionals at major firms.
Her mother penned an emotional letter to EY’s Chairman, expressing her deep sorrow and frustration. In her letter, she stated, “Burdening newcomers with such backbreaking work, making them work day and night, even on Sundays, has no justification whatsoever. She had just left her hometown and loved ones. Everything was new to her the organization, the place, the language and she was trying very hard to adjust. You should show some consideration to new employees.”
The letter went on to reflect the immense potential Anna held: “Anna was always a fighter, from childhood through her academic years, where she excelled in everything she did. She was a school topper, a college topper, excelled in extracurricular activities, and passed her CA exams with distinction. She worked tirelessly at EY, giving her all to meet the demands placed on her.”
In response, EY expressed its grief over Anna’s passing. “We are deeply saddened by Anna Sebastian’s tragic and untimely passing in July 2024,” the firm said in a statement, adding that it remains committed to improving its work environment across its offices.
As the investigation continues, Anna’s case stands as a stark reminder of the high costs of an unbalanced corporate culture and raises vital questions about the measures needed to ensure employee welfare.
