Pune: Ernst & Young Fails to Submit Key Employment Documents Amid Investigation into Employee’s Death

Reported by Tikam Shekhawat

Pune, 1st October 2024: Ernst & Young (EY), a leading global consulting firm, has failed to submit critical documents required by the Maharashtra Labour Department within the seven-day deadline issued earlier. The documents, including the ‘Register of Overtime’ under the Minimum Wages Act of 1948 and the ‘Register of Attendance’ under the Payment of Wages Act of 1936, are essential for assessing compliance with Indian employment laws.

This non-compliance comes amid an ongoing investigation into the working conditions at EY following the tragic death of 26-year-old employee Anna Sebastian Perayil. Her death has sparked widespread concerns about excessive workloads and questionable labor practices at the company.

In response to the incident, state officials conducted an inspection of EY’s Pune office and met with executives to evaluate working conditions. Speaking to Punekar News, Pune’s Additional Labour Commissioner Shailendra Pol stated, “We reviewed various documents and requested EY to submit all necessary paperwork related to compliance within seven days. However, EY has not yet provided these documents.” Pol added that the department is particularly interested in obtaining information regarding the firm’s working rules, welfare policies, and regulations concerning overtime work.

The inquiry was prompted by allegations that Perayil’s death was caused by an excessive workload, raising alarms about EY’s work environment. The firm’s role as statutory auditors for major corporations has added to the public concern, as many have pointed out the irony of EY advising clients on regulatory compliance while allegedly failing to meet those same standards within its own operations. Authorities also confirmed that EY has been operating its Pune office without the necessary registration under the Shops and Establishment Act.

Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya, speaking with Punekar News, confirmed that a detailed investigation into Perayil’s death is underway and that action will be taken based on the findings.

The situation gained further momentum after a letter from Perayil’s mother to EY India’s chairman went viral on social media, revealing the immense pressure her daughter endured in her role. This has sparked a broader conversation about the need for stronger labor protections in high-pressure corporate environments.