Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Responds to EY Employee’s Death Due to Overwork
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], September 20: Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya has promised action following the death of a 26-year-old EY employee, allegedly due to overwork. Mandaviya stated, “Be it a white collar job or any worker, whenever a citizen of the country dies, it is natural to be saddened by it. The matter is being investigated, and action will be taken based on whatever facts are revealed in the investigation.”
Earlier, Ernst & Young (EY) issued a statement expressing deep sadness over the tragic passing of the chartered accountant, who died on July 20 due to allegedly work-related stress. The statement comes after a heart-wrenching letter written by the victim’s mother went viral on social media, alleging that EY’s work culture and excessive workload contributed to her daughter’s demise. In the letter, her mother detailed the victim’s struggles with anxiety, sleeplessness, and stress due to an overwhelming workload, citing instances where her manager prioritised work over employee well-being.
EY’s response acknowledged the victim’s brief tenure at the firm and expressed condolences to the bereaved family. Regarding the allegations, EY stated, “We are taking the family’s correspondence with the utmost seriousness and humility. We place the highest importance on the well-being of all employees and will continue to find ways to improve and provide a healthy workplace for our 100,000 people across EY member firms in India.” The firm assured that it has provided assistance to the family and will continue to do so.
The incident has sparked a nationwide debate on work-life balance, mental health, and corporate accountability.
Doubts Revealed
Mansukh Mandaviya -: Mansukh Mandaviya is a minister in the Indian government. He is responsible for looking after the country’s labour and employment matters.
EY -: EY stands for Ernst & Young, which is a big company that helps other businesses with things like taxes and finances.
Overwork -: Overwork means working too much, which can make a person very tired and stressed. It can sometimes lead to serious health problems.
Work-life balance -: Work-life balance means having enough time for both work and personal life, like spending time with family and friends, and taking care of oneself.
Corporate accountability -: Corporate accountability means that companies are responsible for their actions, especially how they treat their employees and how they impact society.