EY boss Braden Dickson leaves Big Four giant after a ‘historical behaviour matter’ emerges – a year after a woman plunged to her death sparking review of ‘toxic’ workplace culture

The chair of EY New Zealand has left his role after a “historical conduct issue” was raised with the company.

Braden Dickson, who was also an EY Oceania partner and head of business development, left the firm in February after a complaint led to an internal investigation.

An EY Oceania spokesperson would not comment on the specific nature of the departure, but confirmed that Mr Dickson had left the firm.

The company did not detail any allegations of bullying or sexual harassment made against him.

“Following a historic behavioral issue raised in December 2023, EY conducted an investigation and Braden Dickson left EY in early February,” the spokesperson said.

“He is no longer a partner of the firm.

“We are aware that there have been discussions about the circumstances, but we are unable to comment on them.”

Mr. Dickson was named a partner at EY in 2007 and an advisory partner in 2014.

He is also a board member of the prestigious Auckland Grammar School Board as a representative of the Old Boys’ Association.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Dickson for comment.

According to the website, Mr Dickson “has worked in professional services for the past 20 years, helping organizations in New Zealand and Australia deliver large-scale commercial projects”.

EY, formerly known as Ernst and Young, has been rocked by controversy since the death of Aishwarya Venkatachalam, 27, in the Sydney office in August 2022.

The death sparked allegations of rampant bullying and racism within the company and sparked calls for a major overhaul of how the company operates.

An independent investigation was then launched into the company’s “toxic” corporate culture, led by former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick.

In findings published last July, Ms Broderick found hundreds of workers had experienced racism, sexual harassment and overwork, with many employees choosing to remain silent because they had little confidence in reporting mechanisms of the company.

According to the study, which included 4,500 current and former workers, more than one in seven have felt bullied at work, one in 10 have experienced sexual harassment and one in 12 have experienced racism. .

Nearly half said their health was suffering from overwork, and 40 percent were ready to quit.

More than a quarter also feel excluded by their co-workers, and the same number don’t believe EY can fix its toxic culture.

David Larocca, CEO of EY Oceania, admitted the findings were “distressing and completely unacceptable”.

“Bullying, sexual harassment and racism have no place at EY Oceania and I apologize to anyone who has suffered as a result. »

He pledged to implement the report’s 27 recommendations, including increasing compensatory leave and rewarding diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives.

He also committed to launching five pilot initiatives to tackle the inherent problems.

Other recommendations include changing key performance indicators “to strengthen leadership” and increase awareness of harmful behaviors.

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