EY axes dozens of U.S. staff over double-dipping in training sessions
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — Global accounting giant EY has terminated dozens of employees in the United States following an investigation into what the firm deemed unethical behavior during its “EY Ignite Learning Week” in May.
The controversy centers around employees simultaneously attending multiple online training sessions, a practice the firm considers a violation of their professional standards.
The ethics debate
The dismissals have ignited a heated discussion about workplace ethics and modern work practices.
The sessions were part of a continuing professional education (CPE) requirement, with staff expected to complete 40 credits annually. While EY maintains that watching multiple training sessions simultaneously violates their global code of conduct and U.S. learning policy, affected employees argue they were simply trying to maximize their learning opportunities.
“Their emails marketing EY Ignite actually encouraged us to join as many sessions as our schedule allowed,” one dismissed consultant told the Financial Times.
“We all work with three monitors. I was hoping to hear new ideas that I could bring to the table to separate myself from others.”
According to an official EY statement, the disciplinary actions taken were consistent with the company’s core values. “Our core values of integrity and ethics are at the forefront of everything we do,” the firm stated.
Context and consequences
This strict enforcement follows EY’s previous ethical challenges. In 2022, the firm paid a record $100 million fine to the SEC after hundreds of staff were found sharing answers on professional tests.
However, the recent dismissals have been met with criticism from within the organization, with some employees viewing them as an overreaction. Some employees have suggested that alternative disciplinary measures, such as rating reductions or bonus deductions, might have been more appropriate than immediate termination.
The incident has also exposed the pressures of modern workplace expectations. “If you are forced to bill 45 hours a week and do many more hours of internal work, how can it not?” questioned one terminated employee, highlighting the prevalent culture of multitasking.
In response to the controversy, EY has since adjusted its communication for training programs. In a recent email promoting a similar learning event, the firm explicitly warned employees to refrain from attending other sessions simultaneously, emphasizing the importance of integrity during training.
Meta sacks meal fraudsters
Tech giant Meta also fired employees for misusing company perks. Two dozen employees were found abusing their $25 meal credits to buy household items, including acne pads, wine glasses, and laundry detergent.
In addition to using the credit for non-food items, some had been pooling their money together while others delivered meals to their homes, though the credits were intended for the office.
Both dismissals have sparked broader discussions about workplace monitoring and the balance between efficiency and integrity in professional settings.
