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PwC Exec Sues Firm for Alleged Racism and Ageism

PwC Exec Sues Firm for Alleged Racism and Ageism

PLUS: BCG’s ‘24 Olympian, Wharton MBA horror story

Consulting Humor
July 29, 2024

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Gossip roundup

Top story: PwC Principal Blasts Firm for Racism and Ageism

Source: Viccarbe

Allegations of Bias: Former PwC principal Nina Owens sues the firm for age and race discrimination, claiming she was ousted just before her 5-year anniversary, despite surpassing revenue targets.

Systemic Issues: Owens details a culture favoring younger, white males, with specific incidents of credit-stealing, gender-based harassment, and significant pay disparities.

Legal Battle: PwC denies the allegations, labeling them baseless and plans to move the claims to arbitration as per their partnership agreement.

PwC is facing a spicy lawsuit from one of its own consultants.

Nina Owens, a former principal at PwC and a recognized leader in fintech, is suing the firm for racial and age discrimination. Her lawsuit, filed on July 22, claims she was terminated just before her five-year anniversary, a milestone that would have provided her with greater job protection and full vesting of her 401(k).

Owens, a 55-year-old Asian-American with an MBA from Harvard Business School, alleges that her termination came despite exceeding revenue targets and receiving high praise from clients. She claims she did not receive the same support and recognition as her younger, white, male colleagues.

PwC has a mandatory retirement age of 60 for partners and principals, a policy Owens describes as blatant age bias. The firm has previously faced lawsuits for age discrimination, including a recent settlement of $11.6 million after an older CPA was denied employment.

Owens joined PwC in 2019 to lead a digital transformation in payments, a neglected business area. She quickly faced issues with her first manager, a white man, who did not support her and restricted her business opportunities. Her leads were taken and given to male colleagues, and another male partner took credit for her revenue, blocking her promotion.

Despite filing complaints and raising concerns about these actions, Owens alleges that PwC took no genuine remedial action and instead retaliated against her. In early 2023, she got a new manager who allowed her to pursue a new business line, leading to significant revenue growth. However, in March 2024, she was notified that she had to leave the firm by June 26, 2024, despite having exceeded her annual revenue target.

Owens’s suit also details the conduct of Jim Russell, her reporting partner, who allegedly made age-related comments and limited her opportunities. Another partner, Vishal Rawal, allegedly engaged in gender-based harassment and tried to take over her accounts and revenue.

Owens claims she was underpaid by 15-40% compared to her male and white peers and was paid 30% less than the average PwC partner at her level for FY24. She asserts that her treatment violates Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, ERISA, and New York city and state laws.

PwC has denied Owens’s allegations, calling them baseless and stating that her removal was based on legitimate business considerations. They plan to move the claims to arbitration, as required by their partnership agreement.

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