Deloitte has responded to the recent uproar surrounding the tragic death of a young EY employee by establishing a committee to review its internal policies. This incident has sparked widespread debate about work culture in major firms like EY and Deloitte, emphasizing the need for robust employee welfare mechanisms.
Background The controversy began when a young employee at EY, Anna Sebastian Perayil, tragically passed away due to alleged work-related stress. Anna had joined the EY Pune office shortly after completing her CA exams and had only been with the firm for four months. Her mother’s letter to EY India chairman highlighted how Anna was overwhelmed by a heavy workload, affecting her physically, emotionally, and mentally. This letter, combined with social media outcry, led to intense scrutiny of EY’s work practices.
Deloitte’s Response Deloitte, a major player in the same industry, took proactive steps by forming a three-member panel comprising former Revenue Secretary Tarun Bajaj, ex-CEO of Airtel Manoj Kohli, and former CBI Director Subodh Jaiswal. The objective of this committee is to assess Deloitte’s people practices, policies, and processes and ensure a healthy work environment. According to Romal Shetty, Deloitte South Asia CEO, this review is critical in light of the recent incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Workplace Pressure and Mental Health The tragedy at EY has cast a spotlight on the immense pressure employees face in client service roles, which often come with tight deadlines and high expectations. Deloitte’s response includes appointing a Chief Happiness Officer and reinforcing its ethics helpline, aiming to create an open culture where employees can freely voice their concerns without fear of retribution.
Future Measures The committee will review various aspects, including how ethics complaints are managed and the mechanisms in place to address employee grievances. Shetty emphasized the need to balance professional demands with personal well-being, particularly for younger employees who may be navigating both work stress and personal challenges.
Conclusion
This incident has served as a wake-up call for organizations to re-evaluate their internal policies. Deloitte’s initiative to form an external review panel is a step in the right direction, aiming to create a safer and more supportive work environment for all employees.
Credit: This article is based on information from Business Standard and The Hindu.
Summary:
- Deloitte forms a panel to review its people practices after the tragic death of an EY employee.
- The incident raised concerns about work pressure in consulting firms.
- The committee will assess Deloitte’s policies to ensure a healthy work environment.
- The initiative aims to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
