The employee, 28-year-old Michael Brockie, filed a personal injury claim against PwC alleging negligence as he suffered brain damage and was placed in an induced coma in early 2019. The lawsuit describes how staff at PwC’s Reading office were encouraged to attend the after-hours “pub golf” outing, which involved visiting nine bars or “holes” where they were allegedly pressured to consume a particular alcoholic drink. Workers who used the fewest hoods to consume their drink received the best scores, which were recorded on cards printed and handed out around the office, it is claimed. Brockie was so drunk he did not remember going out after 10pm and was found lying in the street with a serious head injury after falling, courts heard. “The doctors and the police concluded that I fell and I didn’t use my arms to break the fall and so I ended up hitting my head on the floor,” Brockie told ITV last year. “The next thing I remember was four weeks later.” Brockie was described by doctors as a ‘walking miracle’ after recovering from the head injury which saw the young professional have half his skull removed and only return to work six months later. The court filing against PwC alleges that there was “heavy pressure” to attend the event and that the event’s rules “not only encourage but constitute a competitive virtue of excessive, rapid and prolonged consumption of alcohol over many hours from approximately 6 p.m. afternoon”. According to the documents, the original invitation by one of the PwC directors said: “I expect a full turnout from everyone who attended last year’s invitation. Nothing short of a certified and countersigned letter from an accredited medical practitioner will suffice as justification.” Brockie had also attended the 2018 edition of the pub golf event. PwC ended the annual trip – which had been going on for about seven years – after his injury. Brockie is now suing PwC, where he still works, for more than £200,000, and is asking for additional future payments to be made available. Court documents allege that Brockie is at risk of developing epilepsy in the long term as a result of his injuries. PwC, which this month confirmed it had handed partners more than £1m for the first time last year, has yet to launch a defense against the claim. “We are unable to comment on the specifics of a matter that is subject to ongoing legal proceedings,” PwC said in a statement. “As a responsible employer we are committed to providing a safe, healthy and inclusive culture for all our people. We also expect anyone attending social events to be responsible and ensure their own safety and the safety of others.” Brockie’s attorney declined to comment. It is the latest lawsuit related to excessive drinking at professional and financial services firms, which are still struggling to shake off their “boys’ club” reputation. In March, Lloyd’s of London insurance market fined one of its member firms for mishandling a case of bullying and harassment and organizing an inappropriate “boys’ night out” event that featured excessive drinking and inappropriate initiation games for staff.
