A video of Ashneer Grover, the former BharatPe founder and popular Shark Tank India judge, has gone viral on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The video, posted years ago, features Grover discussing his experience during an office visit to Ernst & Young (EY). His comments have resurfaced amid the recent outrage over the death of a 26-year-old EY India employee, allegedly due to work-related stress.
In the video, Grover recounts his career journey at EY, highlighting the company’s offer of a ₹1 crore salary and a partner position. However, he then delves into his observations of the company’s work culture, which he described as ‘the worst’. Grover paints a stark picture of a silent and lifeless office, stating, “Itne mare hue log, matlab kriya karam karna reh gaya tha, sab laashe padi this” (There were so many dead people, it seemed like the ritual of karma had been left undone, all the bodies were lying there).
He goes on to explain that the lack of energy and the quiet atmosphere were detrimental to employee well-being. He contrasts this with his belief that ‘toxic cultures’, where there is a sense of fight and passion, are actually more conducive to work.
This video has taken on a new significance following the tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a 26-year-old chartered accountant at EY India. Sebastian passed away on July 20th after collapsing at her home. Her mother, in a letter to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memami, blamed the intense workload, new environment, and long hours for her daughter’s physical, emotional, and mental breakdown. This letter, which went viral on September 18th, sparked outrage and prompted the Ministry of Labour to initiate an investigation into EY’s work environment.
Grover’s video, with its vivid description of EY’s ‘dead’ office, has become a focal point in the discussion about work culture and employee well-being. It raises critical questions about the pressures employees face within corporate environments and the need for companies to prioritize employee health and mental well-being. The Ministry of Labour’s investigation into EY’s work environment will shed light on the reality of these pressures and the need for change within the corporate world.
