A review into the culture at consulting giant EY is giving young workers permission to speak up about work-life balance without damaging their chances of promotion, as a new generation of leaders use remote working to integrate parenthood into their careers, young executives say.

The review, led by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, found that staff at the big four professional services firm felt overworked, bullied and harassed by partners and senior management, and are too scared to report bad behaviour.