PWC SEEKS ADVICE OVER WUHAN BAT SKIT

ACCOUNTING and consultancy heavyweight PWC is understood to have sought legal advice following staff outrage over two executives mocking Chinese accents and dressing up as a “bat from Wuhan” during an internal trivia event.

Last Thursday’s trivia event also contained an allegedly racist trivia question in which a series of company logos were shown including Chinese tech company Huawei, with contestants asked which best represented communism.

PWC chief executive Tom Seymour has apologised to staff who attended the event for the incident, which he said “did not reflect the values and culture of our firm and which has caused discomfort and offence”.

“The behaviour included two racist and offensive sketches which, whilst unintentional, were thoughtless and harmful,” he said. “On behalf of all the team at PWC, I am extremely disappointed that this incident has occurred.”

The behaviour of two HR executives will now be investigated by a people and ethical conduct panel, with potential disciplinary action or termination an outcome.

PWC said it would expedite the investigation process, aiming to resolve the matter within the week.