A video showcasing Diwali celebrations at the EY Gurgaon office has gone viral on social media, but the response has been far from positive. Many users were reminded of the tragic case of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant (CA) with EY Pune, whose family alleged that she died due to “overwork.”
The Viral Video
CA Sneha Chanchlani, who identifies as an employee of EY, shared the video on her Instagram account with the caption “Diwali Celebration at EY Gurgaon.” Alongside the post, she included hashtags like “Big 4” and “Diwali.” The term “Big 4” refers to the four largest international accounting and professional services firms: Deloitte, EY, PwC, and KPMG.
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Social Media Backlash
The video sparked significant backlash from social media users. One commenter questioned, “Is this the same crowd who didn’t go to their own co-worker’s funeral?” Others expressed their disillusionment with the workplace culture, stating, “After this video, all I can say is don’t take your job seriously; people will forget your achievements soon enough.” Another user sarcastically asked if the celebration was an attempt at “image correction” in light of recent tragedies.
A Tragic Reminder
The death of Anna Sebastian Perayil resurfaced as a poignant reminder of the pressures within the corporate environment. Her mother, Anita Augustine, publicly criticized EY for the “overwhelming workload” that she believed led to her daughter’s untimely passing. In response to the incident, EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani expressed his sorrow but denied the allegations made by Anita.
Recent Employee Layoffs
Adding to the controversy, EY recently terminated dozens of employees in the United States for attending multiple online training sessions simultaneously during the firm’s learning week, further emphasizing concerns about workplace culture and employee well-being.
The juxtaposition of festive celebrations against the backdrop of serious allegations of overwork raises critical questions about corporate responsibility and employee welfare within high-pressure environments.