EY offers staff interviews as culture review swings into gear
EY has outlined to staff how its workplace culture investigation will operate, offering confidential one-on-one interviews to all employees.
EY has kicked off its workplace culture review, with staff able to make written submissions, participate in interviews, or join “listening sessions”, as the professional services firm addresses questions on staff safety.
The firm outlined its plans in an email to staff on Friday, with its review seeking to examine workplace culture, work practices and psychological health.
EY Oceania people, place and culture leader Kate Hillman told staff the review would examine the prevalence of harmful behaviours, including bullying, sexual harassment and racism.
EY staff will be offered a one-on-one interview with consultants from Elizabeth Broderick & Co, or a “small group listening session”.
Separately, Ms Hillman said the firm was pleased the review was “moving to the next stage”.
“We have shared details on how our people can participate and encourage all of our staff to take part,” she said. “We are fully committed to the process and will be transparent with the outcomes and implementation of recommendations.”
The review was commissioned after the death of a member of the EY’s audit team in August
The review, which EY announced in September, is expected to take a number of months but the firm’s management will be presented with findings in periodic meetings before the final report’s release.
A national mental health and suicide prevention organisation will support the review.
EY’s workplace culture review comes alongside two other attempts by the professional services giant to get to grips with any issues dogging its workforce.
Former chief executive of ReachOut Australia Jono Nicholas, EY’s mental health adviser, is running two reviews that are scrutinising the firm’s support for its staff’s mental health, and the wellbeing and safety of employees.
Separately, EY revealed a jump in alleged misconduct by staff in a review released last Tuesday. The firm revealed formal workplace investigations had lifted to 17 in the 2022 financial year, up from 12 in 2021.
EY substantiated 13 of the 17 complaints lodged in 2022, with all five sexual harassment complaints being confirmed.
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