Ernst & Young will conduct a “comprehensive and wide-ranging” review of the company’s health, security and social policies after a woman was found dead in the company’s Sydney offices in the early hours of Saturday morning.
NSW police said emergency services were called to the George Street offices at 12.20am on 27 August where officers located the body of a woman.
The Australian reported that the 33-year-old woman had attended a company social event at the Ivy nightclub on the same street on Friday evening and had returned to the office afterwards.
EY’s chief executive, David Larocca, said the company was “deeply shocked and saddened”.
“Our hearts go out the family and we have been in contact to offer our support and condolences,” he said.
“As a result of this tragedy we are in the process of conducting a comprehensive and wide-ranging internal review encompassing health and safety, security, social events as they relate to our staff.”
The company’s chief mental health officer will be part of the review: “Counselling has been offered to all staff and team members. We have an established EPA program that’s available 24/7 to our people and their families, as well as onsite counselling services.”
NSW police said an investigation was under way and a report would be prepared for the coroner.
• In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 800-273-8255 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counselor. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
