Anna’s Tragic Story: How Our Toxic Work Culture Is Costing Lives

Anna Sebastian Perayil was just 26. She had a promising career at EY (Ernst & Young), a job many would envy. But her life was tragically cut short due to work-related stress. Her passing has left us asking a painful question: Why did this happen? Is the company entirely to blame, or is there something deeper at play?

Yes, organisations like EY have a role to play, but we also need to talk about the culture that surrounds work—one where deadlines and targets often come before everything else, even our health.

The Pressure to Always Be “On”

Think about it—how often have you heard people say things like “grind now, relax later” or “hustle hard”? We live in a world where working late and sacrificing personal time is often seen as a badge of honour. It’s not just about doing your job; it’s about doing more than what’s expected and constantly chasing the next big achievement. The problem is that this mindset takes a toll—mentally, physically, and emotionally.

For Anna, the pressure to meet these expectations became unbearable. In many companies, including places like EY, the focus is on hitting targets, meeting deadlines, and outpacing competition. The talk of self-care, taking breaks, and loving yourself? It’s there, but how much of it really happens when there’s so much pressure to perform?

Is the Organization at Fault?

It’s easy to point fingers at EY and say they’re responsible. And sure, organisations do have a duty to create a healthy, supportive work environment. However, the issue goes beyond just one company. This is something we see across industries—whether you’re in finance, tech, or healthcare—the pressure to perform is relentless.

Yes, companies need to do better. They should offer real support, like flexible work hours, mental health resources, and a culture where employees feel it’s okay to take time for themselves. But even with these in place, the bigger issue is the system we’re all part of. It’s a system that values productivity and profit above well-being. And it’s one that we all, in some way, contribute to.

The Culture of Overwork Is Everywhere

The truth is, this toxic culture of overwork doesn’t start in the office. It starts earlier. We grow up with this idea that success is tied to how hard you work and how much you achieve. From school, where grades are everything, to the workplace, where promotions and paychecks define your worth, the pressure never really lets up.

Also Read: 10 Positive Thoughts for Your Daily Motivation

Many people work long hours because they need to—there are bills to pay and families to support. Financial constraints are real. But where do we draw the line? When does the pursuit of success become unhealthy? And when do we start asking, “At what cost?”

We Talk About Self-Care, But Are We Really Practising It?

Everywhere you look, people are talking about self-love, mental health, and the importance of taking breaks. But how much of that is actually happening in real life? Sure, we’re encouraged to be happy, to take time off, and to prioritise our well-being. But when there’s a looming deadline or a big target to hit, self-care often falls to the bottom of the list.

Material success—whether it’s a bigger paycheck, a better job title, or a more comfortable lifestyle—still dominates how we measure our worth. It’s hard to take a step back when society constantly tells you that working harder will bring you closer to these goals.

Where Do We Stop?

Anna’s story forces us to ask: when do we stop? When do we start prioritising our health and happiness over the next deadline or the next promotion? There’s a real need for us to rethink what success looks like. Is it worth it to achieve financial stability if it comes at the cost of your mental and physical health?

Her death is a harsh reminder that something needs to change—both in the way organisations operate and in the way we, as a society, view success. Companies must create environments where employees feel supported and valued beyond just their output. And as individuals, we need to recognise when the price of “making it” is simply too high.

In the end, Anna’s story isn’t just about one organisation or one individual. It’s about a system that’s pushing people to the brink, and unless we start valuing health and well-being over material success, we’ll continue to see more stories like hers.