Status call with my boss and colleagues at the head-office.
It devolves into a discussion of relative attractiveness of various female
clients whom they looked up on LinkedIn (and presumably other social
media). I hear things like “she changed her profile picture and doesn’t
look hot anymore – childbirth must have taken its toll”, though apparently
I am the only one finding this disrespectful and unprofessional.
At a loss for words, I say that I can’t believe I’m hearing this.
In response, I am first told not to worry and reassured that I’m among men,
then mockingly asked to describe the Indian guy I’m working with at one of
my clients.
I say that I’m done with my status update and leave the call.
I wonder what response would have been more effective. Not that I have any
illusions about any career progress at this company, nor do I care for it,
but if I did, this kind of self-ostracism would, without a doubt, have been
a career-limiting move.
This would have been unimaginable at my old company. As a result, I have
zero experience dealing with this crap. This is when I regret having zero
responsibility or power – though I don’t know what I’d do if I did.
tinfoilparachute 