Story 300
I was a Business Analyst at Citi in 2023 when a new senior leader arrived with a great deal of fanfare. Almost immediately, I noticed that he paid an unusual amount of attention to several of the younger female analysts. One in particular stood out—a tall woman with honey-blonde hair and Eastern European accent.
The behavior struck me as inappropriate enough that I began telling members of my team to pay attention to what was going on. Eventually, I was called into my Managing Director’s office and told in no uncertain terms to stop talking about it.
I toned it down, but I did not completely let it go because something did not feel right. A few months later, I was displaced as part of a reduction in force.
Do I believe I was included in the RIFF because I raised concerns? Yes. Can I prove it? No.
One thing I learned at Citi is that if the firm decides it wants you gone, you can be made to disappear very quickly and very quietly. Titles, performance, and years of service offer little protection when senior management has already made up its mind.