Story 83
As someone still working for the said bank under scrutiny, I can identify with so many stories mentioned here and whilst it’s comforting knowing I’m not alone in my struggles, it’s also disheartening to see how deeply entrenched and common these issues are.
I’ve experienced misogyny, been passed on for promotions, told I should have been mindful of when I’m discussing my career ambitions for promotion, subtly sexually harassed by a male MD (finally fired) including trying to demote me by asking me to report to a VP working with him while I was an SVP, just so I could be closer to him and work with him. I reported the incident to HR and the investigations turned up nothing – go figure! I’ve also had senior female MDs try to bully and intimidate me, forcing me out of a managerial position because I wasn’t kissing their @r$es, my performance has been questioned never mind I’ve had solid performance reviews for years and glowing feedback from my team who appreciated my leadership including mentioning I’m one of the best managers they’ve ever had. My bonus has been but, no pay increases because of this and sadly stemming from a female MD’s vicious lies against me.
And yet here I still am, because thanks to the new visa changes and uprooting my life from my home country, I can’t change employers for now. So I continue to suffer in silence and bid my time. Bravo to all the women courageous enough to speak up, nothing may change but knowing that others cared and heard you I hopefully brings some healing. There are many institutional problems existing and perpetuated by those supposed to protect us, but I will also say that female senior leaders need to do better. Sadly my worst traumas in this place have been by women. So it’s not just a male problem now.