The UK chairman of accounting giant KPMG dramatically stepped aside last night as a probe was launched into his incendiary comments at a virtual meeting.
Bill Michael, who was elected to run the firm four years ago, is said to have told staff worried about potential pay, pension and bonus cuts to ‘stop moaning’ and stop ‘playing the victim card’.
Michael later apologised for his comments and claimed they did not reflect his beliefs. But KPMG said he would now step aside while the firm investigates.
Probe: KPMG chairman Bill Michael is said to have told staff worried about potential pay, pension and bonus cuts to ‘stop moaning’ and stop ‘playing the victim card’
The decision came after further details of the meeting emerged, including comments by the chairman suggesting he had broken lockdown rules to meet clients.
Staff were also said to be angered after he dismissed the concept of unconscious bias – unintentional discrimination based on stereotypes – as ‘complete crap’.
According to the Financial Times, one worker responded: ‘There’s no such thing as unconscious bias?!
‘Are you joking? Please do your research before just making such statements. Check your privilege.’
Another said: ‘He literally said, ‘I know I’m breaking the law to meet with people during the pandemic’.’
A third said: ‘People are struggling with serious mental health issues and having our leadership tell us to shut up and pull ourselves up by our boot straps is heartbreaking.’
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