EY Australia Under Fire: Damning Claims of Bullying, Harassment, and Retaliation Surface

Finance EY Australia staff claim bullying, harassment, retaliation

A Comprehensive Report

A recent comprehensive 142-page report conducted by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick has brought to light several concerning issues within EY, a major professional services firm in Australia. The report has not only implications for EY but also for the wider professional services sector and the broader white-collar workforce.

Workplace Conditions

The report found that 11% of EY personnel regularly worked more than 61 hours a week, leading to health problems and prompting 40% of staff, particularly those in senior positions, to consider quitting. Additionally, the investigation exposed instances of bullying experienced by 15% of staff over the past five years, sexual harassment affecting 10%, and racism affecting 8% of employees. The most concerning aspect was the discovery that those who formally reported misconduct faced retaliation, resulting in a lack of trust in the reporting mechanisms.

The investigation was triggered by the tragic suicide of a 27-year-old Indian-Australian auditor at EY’s Sydney office, which sparked conversations about work hours, the company’s culture, and mental health issues in the entire professional services industry.

Contradicting Statements

The report contradicted previous statements from EY’s leaders about working conditions, where the firm claimed not to overwork its employees. In response to the issues uncovered, Elizabeth Broderick proposed 27 recommendations, including better project scoping, resourcing, and costing to reduce overwork, increased accountability for staff retention, and revised performance metrics focusing on diversity and inclusion.

Pledges for Change

EY’s CEO, David Larocca, acknowledged the problems outlined in the report and pledged to create a more respectful and inclusive workplace. He committed to implementing all 27 of Broderick’s recommendations. However, the report highlighted skepticism among EY’s staff regarding the company’s willingness to make meaningful changes to cut working hours.

Normalization of Bullying

Aside from overwork, the report revealed a normalization of bullying within the organization, with instances occurring even among senior staff. Sexual harassment was also prevalent, with a perception that reporting such behavior was discouraged, especially when the perpetrators held leadership positions. Furthermore, employees from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds were more likely to experience racism at EY.

A Wake-Up Call

Overall, the report serves as a wake-up call for EY and the broader professional services industry to address critical workplace issues and foster a more inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for their employees. The findings highlight the urgent need for change and the importance of implementing the recommended measures to create a safer and healthier workplace.

Crisis Support and Hope for Change

Crisis support is available for those in need, and the company’s commitment to implementing the recommendations offers hope for positive change. It is crucial for EY to follow through on the proposed measures and to rebuild trust among its employees. The broader industry must also take note of the report and take proactive steps to address similar issues within their own organizations.