An independent review of EY’s workplace culture, following the death of a staffer last year at its Sydney office, has revealed the extent of racism and sexual harassment at the consulting firm, as nearly half of employees reported overwork had affected their health.

The report, by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, revealed that 15 per cent of current and former female employees who participated in the review experienced sexual harassment over the past five years, and 17 per cent experienced bullying.

About 16 per cent of employees who identified as ethnically Indian experienced racism over the past five years; for those who identified as Chinese the figure was 15 per cent, and the figure was 21 per cent for those who identified as Maori.

The review interviewed 4171 employees and followed last year’s death of Indian-born auditor Aishwarya Venkatachalam, who worked at the firm’s Sydney office, where there have been reports of racism, bullying and a brutal culture of overwork.

“There are findings in the report that are distressing and completely unacceptable,” said David Larocca, the head of EY’s Oceania operations.

“Bullying, sexual harassment and racism have no place at EY Oceania and I apologise to anyone who has suffered as a result.”

One employee told the review: “I tried to coach one Indian worker who was excluded. No one wanted to coach [them], people would also say that you can’t put X in front of [the client] ... [they are] very enthusiastic but not in the ‘Australian way’.”

Another respondent said: “There are some partners I wouldn’t be in a room alone with.”

A third respondent said: “The partners protect bullies. Often they are bullies and aggressive themselves.”