The UK boss of KPMG will step aside while the accounting giant investigates offensive comments he allegedly made during an online meeting with staff.
Bill Michael, who was admitted to hospital with Covid-19 last year, reportedly told about 500 financial services staff on Monday that they should "stop moaning" about the pandemic and stop "playing the victim card".
He apologised at the end of the meeting and in an all-staff email but KPMG confirmed that an investigation into the alleged remarks had begun.
"Mr Michael has decided to step aside from his duties as chair while the investigation is underway," a spokeswoman said.
"We take this matter very seriously and will not comment further while the investigation is ongoing."
Mr Michael’s decision to step aside came as staff members alleged he made further offensive comments during the same meeting.
The remarks provoked fury from KPMG staff who reportedly took to an app used to post anonymous comments in the meeting.
One employee said Mr Michael should “check his privilege” and “do your research” before commenting on the issue.
Other participants took issue with Mr Michael talking about meeting clients for coffee during lockdowns.
“He literally said, ‘I know I’m breaking the law’ to meet up with people during the pandemic,” one said.
Mr Michael’s comments were particularly badly received after a staff poll at the beginning of the meeting which showed the majority of consultants were struggling to cope during the pandemic.
Staff were allegedly angry that he had dismissed concerns about potential cuts to staff bonuses, pay and pensions.
“People are struggling with serious mental health issues and having our leadership tell us to shut up and pull ourselves up by our bootstraps is heartbreaking,” wrote another employee.
Mr Michael apologised on Tuesday, saying the remarks did not reflect his beliefs.
"I am sorry for the words I used, which did not reflect what I believe in, and I have apologised to my colleagues,” he said.
"Looking after the wellbeing of our people and creating a culture where everyone can thrive is of critical importance to me and is at the heart of everything we do as a firm."
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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The lowdown
Rating: 4/5
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If you go
The flights
Fly direct to London from the UAE with Etihad, Emirates, British Airways or Virgin Atlantic from about Dh2,500 return including taxes.
The hotel
Rooms at the convenient and art-conscious Andaz London Liverpool Street cost from £167 (Dh800) per night including taxes.
The tour
The Shoreditch Street Art Tour costs from £15 (Dh73) per person for approximately three hours.
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SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
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BRIEF SCORES:
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UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
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Fights start from 6pm Friday, January 31
Catchweight 82kg
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Range: Up to 610km
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
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Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
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The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
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- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
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How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
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Full Party in the Park line-up
2pm – Andreah
3pm – Supernovas
4.30pm – The Boxtones
5.30pm – Lighthouse Family
7pm – Step On DJs
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Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
