HR leaders eye KPMG as ex-manager claims sham PIP and staffing squeeze
A former KPMG manager alleges the Big Four firm used a disputed performance plan in a case involving discrimination, retaliation and medical leave claims.
In a lawsuit filed November 26, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, Frank Jones, an African American/Black Christian and former manager in KPMG’s Deal Advisory – Mergers & Acquisitions Services group, describes his experience in the firm’s Technology Center of Excellence. He brings claims of race, color and religious discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation and violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act. The filing reflects only his allegations; the court has not made any findings.
Jones says he first worked for KPMG from approximately 2014 to 2018, then returned in or about late 2022 as a Manager based in Atlanta, with an annual base salary of approximately $218,900 plus eligibility for annual bonus compensation. Within a group of roughly 100 professionals, he alleges he was one of only one or two Black male employees.
According to the lawsuit, his early performance reviews were strong. In or about early 2024, a managing director rated him as performing at or above the next level in most categories, and his then–People Management Leader, Anuj Saxena, told him he was on track for promotion. The complaint states that his documented performance evaluations did not...
Welcome to Reality Check, NewsGuard’s newsletter that tracks the false claims and conspiracy theories that shape our world — and who’s behind them. Support us by becoming a premium member or sharin...