When accounting goes unaccounted for
[Translated from German to English]
“When the times are good, [PwC] hires young talent en masse, let them work through day and night, and when it comes down to it, put the team out on the street.”
— an unnamed PwC Switzerland employee, when asked what they think about the firm’s cost-cutting measures due to COVID-19, which include deferring promotions and raises, partners taking a 20% salary reduction, and possible layoffs.
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Directly from 300 Madison:
Caleb,
This is a ridiculous email, see below, that we received [Thursday] regarding the hurricane. I work at 300 Madison Ave and thought this was hilarious. Note how we are supposed to buy candles in case the power goes out but we also need to bring our laptops home so we can work from home on Monday. Sorry P Dubb but if I need plywood to protect my apt from hurricane winds, the client should understand why my deliverable is a day or two late.
Also, during the winter we constantly get emails informing us that the office ONLY closes if the governor declares a state of emergency. According to this article, Cuomo already did that but good ol’ [Metro Region Managing Partner] Brendan Dougher hasn’t sent me an email telling me to stay home.
Here’s the communiqué:
Hurricane Irene
Unfortunately it appears that hurricane Irene will make for a challenging weekend for our area and we wanted to share the following information and guidance with you. As always, the firm’s first priority is the safety and well being of its people.
US Security is in regular contact with a private weather service and will track the storm over the weekend and remain in contact with our local team. When you leave the office today and tomorrow, take your laptop with you as you may need to work from home on Monday. Please secure all work-papers and confidential information in a locked drawer, filing cabinet or in the Records Center. Depending on the damage and disruptions from the storm, we may need to adjust our office hours on Monday. Please check your e-mail or voicemail early Monday morning to obtain the latest information on the status of the office.
Actions Required
Update your personal and emergency contact information with your profile on myKcurve; this information is critical for our Crisis Assessment Team who may need to locate you after a disruptive event
Program the Emergency Hotline number [redacted] into your cellular phone and also provide the number to your family and other emergency contacts that may need to inquire about your safety and well being
Respond to any e-mails or voice messages from the Crisis Assessment Team or office contacts attempting to locate you after an event
Check your voice messages. Office announcements and crisis guidance may be shared with you through this medium
Secure all client or confidential information in a locked drawer, filing cabinet, or the Records Center before departing from work
Take your laptop and essential peripherals home with you.
Guidance to Consider at Home
Have candles and/or battery operated lighting readily available; hurricanes typically result in power outages
Have a battery powered radio available to receive weather reports and evacuation advisories
Stock food supplies that do not require cooking
Stock 2-3 days of water; one gallon per person per day
Purchase a First Aid Kit for the appropriate number of members in your home; consider liquid soap that does not require water
Identify a secure location in the home away from windows where you can locate during the storm; consider storing blankets in this area
Have plywood or shutters ready to cover windows
Remove all objects in your yard that are not secured or could be damaged by the wind
Be prepared for flooding and heavy rains
One of the best preparedness items is to stay informed. Follow news reports and read office communications. Many websites also provide comprehensive coverage and are a great resource for all of us. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact security@us.pwc.com or call the Emergency Hotline.
So while the rest of Manhattan is bailing itself out by bucket, be sure you’ve taken the necessary precautions to hit the ground running on Monday. And take it easy on the weekend. If the electricity is out, you’ll need plenty of battery to get through the day.