Diwali 2024: EY Gurugram Office Celebrates with Vibrant Festivities – Viral Video Inside!
A video showcasing the Diwali celebrations at Ernst & Young’s (EY) Gurugram office has recently gone viral, but not for the reasons one might expect. Shared by CA Sneha Chanchlani on October 29, 2024, the video features employees dressed in vibrant ethnic attire, participating in a lively fashion show and enjoying the festive atmosphere. However, the clip has sparked significant backlash, with many social media users drawing parallels to the tragic death of a former employee, Anna Sebastian Perayil.
Main Points
The Viral Video
The Instagram post, captioned “Diwali Celebrations at EY Gurgaon,” quickly garnered over a million views. It depicted employees walking a red carpet in traditional outfits while colleagues cheered them on. The event aimed to celebrate Diwali, a festival of lights that symbolizes joy and new beginnings in Indian culture. Yet, amidst the celebrations, the video has ignited a heated discussion about workplace culture and employee welfare at EY.
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A Dark Shadow: Anna Sebastian Perayil’s Death
Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant working at EY Pune, tragically passed away in September 2024. Her family alleged that her death was due to “excessive workload,” prompting her mother, Anita Augustine, to write an open letter to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani. In her letter, she claimed that her daughter had endured four months of overwhelming pressure from the firm. While Memani expressed his condolences and sadness over Anna’s death, he denied the family’s allegations regarding her workload.
The timing of the Diwali celebration video has led many to question EY’s corporate culture. Social media users have criticized the firm for seemingly prioritizing festive events over employee well-being. Comments on the viral video have included harsh remarks like “Is this the same crowd who didn’t go to their own co-worker’s funeral?” This sentiment reflects a growing concern about how corporate environments can sometimes overlook employee mental health and well-being.
Social Media Reactions
The reactions to the video have been mixed but predominantly critical. Many users expressed frustration over what they perceive as a disconnect between EY’s festive celebrations and its responsibility towards its employees. One user sarcastically asked if the celebration was an attempt at “image correction” following Anna’s tragic passing. Others echoed this sentiment by stating that such celebrations appear hollow when juxtaposed with serious allegations of workplace pressure.
Comments such as “After this video, all I can say is don’t take your job seriously; people will forget your achievements soon enough” highlight a growing disillusionment among employees and observers alike regarding corporate loyalty and recognition. These discussions have sparked broader conversations about workplace culture in high-pressure environments like those found in accounting firms.
Corporate Responsibility
The backlash against EY’s Diwali celebrations raises important questions about corporate responsibility and employee welfare. As companies navigate their public image through festive events and celebrations, they must also consider how these actions resonate with their workforce. The contrast between celebrating Diwali and addressing serious allegations of overwork creates a complex narrative that challenges firms to reflect on their internal cultures.
In recent months, EY has faced scrutiny not only for Anna’s death but also for terminating several employees in the U.S. for attending multiple online training sessions simultaneously during a learning week. Such incidents contribute to an ongoing narrative about the pressures faced by employees in high-stakes environments.
