Following the tragic death of EY employee Anna Sebastian Perayil, who allegedly succumbed to overwork, a video of BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover has gone viral. In the clip, Grover recounts his decision to leave EY after just one day, despite a lucrative ₹1 crore salary. He described the office environment as lifeless, claiming he pretended to have chest pains to escape.
Grover controversially stated that “toxic” offices are often the most productive, asserting, “If anyone is saying an office has a toxic culture, then that one is the best.” His remarks have drawn sharp criticism, including from billionaire industrialist Harsh Goenka, who condemned Grover for promoting a toxic work environment, using the hashtag #AnnaPerayil.
Anna, a 26-year-old chartered accountant who had joined EY’s Pune office four months prior, reportedly faced extreme work pressures leading to her death in July. Her mother accused the company of neglecting employee well-being and lamented the absence of any EY representatives at her daughter’s funeral. She expressed hope that her letter would prompt meaningful changes to prevent further tragedies.
In response, EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani promised to foster a more harmonious workplace, stating he would not rest until that goal is achieved. He acknowledged the need for reform, emphasizing that the lack of support during Anna’s funeral was “alien to our culture.”
