KPMG New Zealand rocked by drink spiking allegations at office party

Local police have been notified and KPMG has also launched an internal investigation in the wake of allegations at the huge firm.

A leaked email from one of the big four accounting businesses has revealed the firm’s horror to learn someone had spiked their colleagues’ drinks at work events on at least two occasions.

KPMG’s New Zealand branch sent an email calling out the unknown “grubby little coward” responsible for endangering the lives of co-workers at an office party in Auckland.

Local police have been notified and KPMG has also launched an internal investigation.

New Zealand publication Stuff obtained the email, in which Matt Pritchard, Executive Chair, notified staff of the incident.

“This email is not something I ever expected to have to write,” he began in his company-wide address to staff.

“Distressingly, last Friday at our monthly Auckland Partners’ shout, one of our people was a victim of drink-spiking.”

In another big shock, KPMG believes one person had their drink spiked while on KPMG premises.

KPMG believes two of their employees became victims of drink spiking. File photo. Picture: iStock.

At the event last Friday, staff apparently quickly realised what was happening and a KPMG partner drove the victim home.

The previous month, a similar incident took place, making KPMG think there is a repeat offender in their midst.

The drink spiking occurrence in August was also of “serious concern” and Mr Pritchard noted “while the location of the incident was not certain, it was likely to have also been at our premises”.

KPMG added extra safety measures after the first crime, but given a second person was spiked a few weeks later, they have acknowledged it’s not enough and now looking at other ways to keep staff safe.

After the August drink spiking, the firm introduced a security guard at their weekly Friday night drinks.

Additionally, they also implemented a system where three partners were deemed “on duty” and responsible at KPMG-organised nights out.

They also placed a limit on the number of drinks each attendee was able to collect whenever going up to the bar.

“We expected these measures, combined with the policies we have in place to ensure we’re responsible hosts, including ensuring one drink per person per bar visit – with no drink stacking, would be effective,” Mr Pritchard continued.

“Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough, and we are reviewing our approach to these events.”

Mr Pritchard added: “Each and every one of us needs to feel safe in our workplace”.

Do you know more or have a similar story? Get in touch | [e-mail]

The drink spiking has happened at least twice in the past month. Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

In a statement to news.com.au, Mr Pritchard said the incident was sad and shocking and that workplace safety was their number one concern.

“Our first and biggest concern is for the people impacted by the incidents,” he said.

“We’re doing everything in our power to ensure they’re supported by us and by the appropriate external agencies.

“We’re shocked and saddened that this has happened, and we don’t want to see it happen again.

“As well as having gone to the police and beginning an investigation, we’re also taking advice on implementing additional security measures and making sure all of our people are aware of the incidents and on the alert.

“Our people remain our top priority, and we want them to be safe in our workplace.”

In Australia, drink spiking is illegal and it is punishable with up to two years in prison.

[e-mail]