EY employee death: Netizens say 8hr double jobs is moonlighting, but 16hrs for one firm is 'Indian culture'

A Reddit post questioning the stark contrast between moonlighting and overwork in Indian corporate culture has drawn widespread attention following the tragic death of a 26-year-old chartered accountant, Anna Sebastian Perayil, allegedly due to extreme work pressure at Ernst & Young (EY). The Ministry of Labour & Employment is now investigating concerns of unsafe and exploitative work conditions within the firm.

Anna's passing prompted her mother, Anita Augustine, to write a heartfelt letter to Rajiv Memani, the chairman of EY India, condemning the firm¡¯s toxic work culture. This letter, initially intended to remain private, was reportedly leaked from EY's Pune office.

The family of Anna Sebastian Perayil expressed deep sorrow and raised serious concerns about the work environment that contributed to her death. Meanwhile, the company has denied these allegations, but the incident has intensified discussions about the toxic work culture that many corporate employees in India endure, with the issue being widely debated on social media platforms.

Reddit post sparks debate on work culture in Indian companies

Working 8hrs in two companies each is moonlighting, but working 16hrs a day for same company on the salary of 8hr is Indian culture. This is the reality of not only EY India but almost all the corporate in India. Same company who operates in US and in India has different "policies" for employees
byu/jailnilekani inunitedstatesofindia

On Reddit¡¯s r/unitedstatesofindia subreddit, a post has ignited conversations about the state of work culture in India. The post, highlighting that working 8 hours each for two companies is seen as moonlighting, but working 16 hours for a single company on an 8-hour salary is considered "Indian culture," resonated with many.

In response, several Redditors shared their insights on the plight of corporate workers in India and the urgent need for stronger labor protections. One user commented, "Overworking is glorified in India. To the point that leaving on time and not working on weekends will lead to censure, hostility, or at least snide remarks. The whole attitude towards work needs to change. Our duty is to our well-being and our families, not to disconnected capitalists."

Another Redditor pointed out that corporate practices differ drastically between regions, writing, "Many companies are pro-employee in EU, ultra-toxic in 3rd world countries. The submissive work-culture, excessive supply of workforce, and relaxed labor rules make the life of employees very difficult."

Others discussed the lack of a strong labor movement for white-collar workers in India. "This is happening in India because there's no workers rights movement. All the unions that exist are corrupt or don't cover white-collar jobs," wrote one user. Another remarked, "Messrs Ola, Bombay Shaving Company, and 70-hr work week are suspiciously silent right now."

One particularly detailed comment dissected the root causes of India's toxic work culture, stating, "Toxic work culture doesn't seem to capture the horrors at Indian companies. It seems much crazier." The user then outlined key points:

"Companies have no boundaries on hours; Bosses act like they own the employees; Respecting people below doesn't existIndia is mass producing workers; Country of workers instead of country of owners; Parents sole focus is getting offsprings to settle in a job; No respect for small businesses in society; Not enough opportunity creators as role models."

Some users advocated for collective action, suggesting that only by saying no to exploitative work conditions could real cultural change happen. ¡°If we all collectively start saying no, then a culture might develop,¡± one person commented, while another pointed out, "It's about time we needed strong labor laws."

New developments in EY employee's tragic death

The tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil has also attracted the attention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which has taken suo motu cognizance of the case. In a press release, the Commission revealed that it had issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, requesting a detailed report on the situation.

¡°Reportedly, the mother has written a letter to the employer claiming that long hours of work had taken a heavy toll on her daughter¡¯s physical, emotional, and mental health, a charge denied by the company. The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment is getting the matter investigated,¡± the NHRC¡¯s statement read.

Also Read: 'I could have been another Anna Sebastian; work pressure, harassment almost killed me, my unborn child': Ex-EY employee

Previously, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, reached out to the grieving parents of Anna Sebastian Perayil, offering his support and promising to fight for improved working conditions for millions of professionals in India. Gandhi emphasized his commitment to addressing the systemic issues that contribute to such tragedies.

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