How the hell did I end up back in 1985?

[Soph0571]

My old company was bought out in August and I moved across the head up what is now a new division of a well established company in the London landscape. This has necessitated some change of course, for example, this is the first time in my career that I am the only female on the executive team. Makes for some very interesting reactions from the chaps when they realise that I do not take any prisioners, Ever. So far so very normal - being a successful senior executive and female seems to have a very interesting effect on a certain type of chap.... they can do all the willy waving they want - me, I'll just beat them on performance. Much more satisfying.

So far, so typical for a woman in a male dominated environment. Right? Yep.

And then this:



Yes. Really. 2018 and in one of our offices, a shared space with other businesses, I had the misfortune to walk past another businesses office door to see this on the back of it. 2018 and this is still hanging in an office, in the centre of one of the most diverse cities in the world. The reaction when I raised it was a shrug of the shoulders and a 'what can you do attitude' by my male colleagues in the executive team.

How the hell did I end up back in the 1980's?

Heh. Don't get me wrong. I am strong old bint. Very little phases me. However, why should I and all the other women, and probably a lot of the men, have to put up with such blatant sexism in a shared space.

Monday - i take it up with the management of the building...

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. It is astonishing that

in 2018 men think that's okay in the workforce.

Apparently they don't have wives, sisters, or daughters either. And before that they were raised by wolves, not a human mother.

[AJT]

2. He knows this is wrong. He is challenging you.

He's made his move, now you make yours

[Merlot]

3. Wolves have a very strong family structure...

and tend to be maligned. I'd say raised by hyenas.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. Gotcha.

[Lucky Luciano]

5. Hyenas have a matriarchal structure! nt

[athena]

6. I'm not surprised.

It's not an accident. It's meant to show women (including you) that you don't belong there. It's meant to make women (including you) uncomfortable. It's meant to make the workplace hostile to women so that the men will have 50% less competition than they would otherwise.

I worked in a male-dominated environment for a long time. Even when they don't have posters of nude women on their walls, they have their way of making it clear to women that we don't belong. It's hard to fight that and win. I would be very careful if I were you. Don't assume this is something someone did thoughtlessly and that you will be able to single-handedly change the culture at this company. They will find a way to make you into the bully who is making the environment hostile to men. Don't assume they won't be able to bring you down. In fact, your best option might be to look for another job at another company that respects women. I'm serious. Good luck.