The auditing agency PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is being sued by a UK worker who misplaced half of his cranium after participating in a “pub golf” work occasion that concerned extreme consuming.
The worker, 28-year-old Michael Brockie, filed a private damage declare in opposition to PwC for alleged negligence, having suffered a mind damage and been put into an induced coma in early 2019.
The lawsuit describes how employees at PwC’s Studying workplace had been inspired to attend the after-hours “pub golf” outing, which concerned visiting 9 bars, or “holes”, during which they had been pushed to eat a selected alcoholic drink. Employees who used the fewest swigs to eat their drink got the perfect scores, which had been recorded on playing cards that had been printed and distributed within the workplace.
Brockie turned “so intoxicated” that he had no reminiscence of the outing after 10pm and was present in mendacity on the street having suffered a critical head damage after falling over, in line with courtroom filings.
“Docs and the police got here to the conclusion that I fell over and didn’t use my palms to interrupt the autumn so I ended up hitting my head on the ground,” Brockie instructed ITV final yr. “The subsequent factor I bear in mind was 4 weeks later.”
Brockie was described by medical doctors as a “strolling miracle” after recovering from the pinnacle damage, which resulted within the younger skilled having half of his cranium eliminated and solely returning to work six months later.
The courtroom submitting in opposition to PwC claimed there was “heavy stress” to attend the occasion, and that the principles of the occasion “not solely encourage however make a aggressive advantage of extreme, fast and extended consumption of alcohol over many hours from about 6pm”.
In line with the paperwork, the unique invite from one in every of PwC’s managers acknowledged: “I count on absolute attendance from all of those that attended final yr’s invitational. Nothing wanting a licensed and countersigned letter by an accredited medical practitioner will suffice as excuse.”
Brockie had additionally attended the 2018 model of the “pub golf” occasion, although PwC put an finish to the annual outing – which had been going for about seven years – after his damage.
The worker is now suing PwC, the place he’s nonetheless employed, for greater than £200,000, and is requesting that extra future funds be made obtainable. The courtroom paperwork declare there’s a threat that Brockie may develop epilepsy within the long-term on account of his accidents.
PwC, which earlier this month confirmed it had handed companions greater than £1m every for the primary time final yr, has not but filed a defence in opposition to the declare.
“We’re unable to touch upon the specifics of a matter that’s topic to ongoing authorized proceedings,” PwC stated in an announcement. “As a accountable employer we’re dedicated to offering a protected, wholesome and inclusive tradition for all of our individuals. We additionally count on anybody attending social occasions to be accountable and to make sure their very own security and that of others.”
Brockie’s lawyer declined to remark.
It’s the newest lawsuit linked to heavy consuming at skilled and monetary providers corporations, that are nonetheless struggling to flee their “boys’ membership” status. In March, the insurance coverage market Lloyd’s of London fined one in every of its member corporations for mishandling a bullying and harassment case and internet hosting an inappropriate “boys’ evening out” occasion that featured extreme consuming and inappropriate initiation video games for workers.
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