Story 4
I was a top performing Director at Citi when I was called into an HR investigation related to an employee who was unhappy about being placed on a performance plan. At the start of the call, the questions focused on that situation, as expected.
Near the end of the discussion, without any warning or context, the investigator abruptly changed direction and asked about a Zoom meeting that senior executives attended. I was told that someone reported I had “flirted” with one of them and that my behavior was inappropriate.
I was completely blindsided. I had met this executive once, had no recollection of anything even remotely resembling what was being described, and was stunned that such an allegation was being raised without specifics, evidence, or an opportunity to respond meaningfully.
The experience left me deeply shaken. I began looking for another role almost immediately. While I was ultimately able to leave the firm, the way the situation unfolded — and the implications it carried — were incredibly traumatizing. I don’t know what the motive was except after I left, I heard I was replaced by a man so maybe they were just gaslighting women to quit.
N. M.