Gender discrimination at a “Big Four” accounting firm

Ms. Kassman was, “unapproachable,” and “too direct,” at least according to her employer KPMG, which gave this as a reason for not promoting her. Ms. Kassman, however, argues that these words are a guise for KPMG’s real intent behind her lack of promotion and salary cut; she claims that she was overlooked due to her status as a woman and caretaker of children. 

Among the things Ms. Kassman claims as evidence of such discrimination are statements made by her supervisors, including one that she didn’t need the money that was cut from her salary during her maternity leave because she, “…had a nice engagement ring.” 

This pay cut and subsequent placement on a “performance improvement plan” were allegedly done without a clear business purpose. Supervisors also purportedly informed Kassman that male colleagues may have a problem working with women.

In addition to these statements, Kassman also has some glaring statistics on her side. While 50% of KPMG’s employees are women, only 18% are partners. This is lower than the industry average, where 23% of women are partners. Also at KPMHG, 35% of women are senior managers, which is again lower than the industry standard of 44%.

KMPG male employees told Kassman to work on her issues with a coach, which sounds slightly reminiscent of the infamous Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins case in which a female worker prevailed on her gender discrimination claim after her employers told her to take a “course in charm school” if she wanted to be promoted.

Kassman asserts that these acts are especially egregious considering that KPMG is one of the “big four” accounting firms in New York City. She claims that this pattern of discrimination should not be occurring at a firm that is standard setting across the world.

This class action suit against KPMG, which has global revenue equal to $20.63 billion, is seeking $350 million in damages and injunctive relief.   

 

 Photo credit: Microsoft

Comments

[Taylor Alameter]

That would be extremely dangerous. Especially for an accounting firms in new york city or some other big city. Once people heard even a wisp of gender discrimination, you would be under big fire by a lot of people.