The 2020 Best Firms to Work For: EY

Consulting Service Lines: Strategy, Operations, Financial Support, IT

Maintaining firm culture is always a challenge, but when your workforce includes more than 23,000 billable consultants, it requires an extra concerted effort to make sure every employee feels they're making an impact. Making its fourth consecutive appearance on the Best Firms to Work For list is EY, coming in at #14.

Americas Consulting Talent Leader Thear Suzuki knows these challenges first hand, and attributes the firm's high marks for culture among employees to its focus on employee happiness and well-being.

"While nothing new, we've always paid great attention to belonging, health, and wellness. This past year we've developed new programs and initiatives like Summer and Fall Leave programs to support our employees through the uncertainty they have experienced. We focus strongly on safety, have always put our employees' health first during the pandemic and continue to do so," Suzuki says.

"The strong relationships we enjoy with our clients result in exciting projects to work on that are cutting-edge and setting standards for the industry – our employees' experiences and development opportunities are a top priority for the organization."

Because there was no playbook, every firm approached the pandemic a little differently. Perennial challenges like work-life balance became even harder this year when consultants working remotely found their work life and home life melding into one.

"We addressed the unique challenges that 2020 has presented with a number of new initiatives and programs, offering a range of extra support and programs to our people. These included offering summer and fall leave to acknowledge the challenges the pandemic presents in balancing our personal and work lives, extending the time during which carry-over vacation could be used and providing individuals with more flexibility to navigate through specific personal needs," Suzuki says.

EY prides itself on its core cultural values, among them building a better working world. It has become a rallying cry that EY employees use to make a lasting difference both inside and outside the firm.

"At EY, we also know that the highest-performing teams are diverse and inclusive groups of committed, passionate people, brought together by this shared vision and deeply invested in each other's success. We want our people to know that regardless of age, race, identity or level – their ideas truly matter and are heard," says Suzuki.

One of the biggest changes 2020 has brought to the profession is a sudden move away from face-to-face meetings, both at the office and on client site visits. Suzuki says EY as a firm is looking forward to returning to that environment again once it's safe to do so.

"We're a firm that truly enjoys collaborating in person and while we have been very successful working remotely, our people miss the energy created when teaming across the table with one another."

"We're also excited to further engage with clients who are transforming their businesses; the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the pace of global change ⁠— and the pressure on companies to respond. Businesses are expected to not only keep pace with the evolving external environment but actually change the way they change, from business models to customer interaction and employee engagement," Suzuki says.

"The post-pandemic world requires companies to accelerate the pace of organizational change. We are well positioned to help our clients transform by placing humans at the center of their organizations, leveraging technology at speed and enabling innovation at scale."

Consulting: What impact do you think being a Best Firm to Work For has on the firm? Employees? Clients? 

Suzuki: "For employees it brings a sense of pride and a sense of security knowing that EY is committed to remaining one of the Best Firms to Work For. The firm will continue to evolve "people programs" to meet the needs of our employees in a way that empowers them to pursue their personal purpose.

For clients, such recognition validates that we are not only committed to their business growth but also the success and development of their individuals and teams. Clients know that the EY teams with whom they work will have not only a commitment to quality and innovation, but possess a solid work ethic grounded in the pride of working for EY, with integrity at the heart of everything we do."