Labour officials inspect EY's Pune office, grant one week to respond to queries on worker's 'death' and firm policies

After controversy erupted over young worker's death due to work pressure, officials of the Maharashtra labour department inspected consulting firm Ernst & Young's (EY) Pune office and interviewed executives on Monday, a state official said.

Pune Additional Labour Commissioner, Shailendra Pol, said that they have reviewed various documents related to Anna at the office and have requested EY to submit the same documents to the department within seven days.

"We have checked the working conditions and current situations at the office. We sought information about the working rules, welfare policy of the company, and policies for extra working hours," Pol said.


"We have also reviewed the appointment letter of the deceased and the rules and regulations mentioned in it. Once we receive all the requested information, we will submit a report to the Central government, after which they will take further action," Pol added.

Govt seeks report:
Union Ministry of Labour and Employment sought a report from the state department on Monday following the death of a 26-year-old employee of EY in Pune reportedly due to excessive workload.

Speaking to ANI, Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya said that the report is expected to be submitted within 7-10 days.

"Ministry has sought a report from state department. They are expected to submit their Report within 7-10 days.Whatever investigation comes, we will take action accordingly," Mandaviya said.

This comes after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognizance of the death and issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks.

The Commission has also asked businesses to review their work culture, employment policies and regulations to ensure alignment with global human rights standards.

"The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that a 26-year-old chartered accountant girl from Kerala died in Pune, Maharashtra, on July 20, 2024, allegedly, due to excessive workload in the Ernst & Young that she joined four months back," a NHRC release stated.

The matter caught public attention after the mother of the young professional wrote an open letter to EY claiming that long hours of work had taken a heavy toll on her daughter's physical, emotional and mental health, a charge later denied by the company.