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Original poster

Wicked Witch

29 replies

littlewaltham · 30/04/2014 20:15

So I started a thread in feminism today which lead to me reading some of the posts in this area on Mumsnet that I have previously not bothered to view but actually has some of the most stimulating and relevant discussions for me.

So I was asked to make a decision at work that involved redundancies. I gave my decision to an all male audience with in depth financial and operational data to back up my proposal.

I was warned that "that sort of action could brand me as the wicked witch"

I replied that if a man were to make a similar decision he was in danger of being branded as decisive, assertive and an all round bloody good chap for rationalising the work force and giving employees a more rewarding and sustainable future at the Company whilst offering NOT forcing redundancy for those that want to cash in and move on.

AIBU unreasonable at the jibe?

OP posts:
Original poster
littlewaltham · 30/04/2014 21:10

Good question Mutton. How do we. Its all under the daily radar nothing forward like saying you are female therefore it is a given you are less able.

Other comments over the years have been:

at an all male client dinner "Suffragettes movement? oh come on LittleWaltham you're the woman its your department to know the dates"

WTF? I know your total shareholder return and the legal steps you need to take to diversify into emerging markets.

Ebear lot of swearing from men. If I swore it would be shock and probably waved off with a derisory remark.

OP posts:
MuttonCadet · 30/04/2014 20:56

Yep, I'm the "wicked witch", "aggressive", "hard", all because I make decisions based on strong financial data and stand my corner.

I have accepted that in order to do my job properly these labels are inevitable in the current climate.

I do challenge them at every opportunity and work hard to ensure more junior female members of my team do not get a "reputation", but it's annoying - how do we force a change?

EBearhug · 30/04/2014 20:51

No, it seems you're right to be angry from what you say. Unfortunately, workplaces are full of double standards like this, and it does get tiring pointing it out all the time.

I wish they'd at least read some basic feminism so they would come out with something less cliched. (I'm the "emotional one in the team", apparently, even though I am not the one who swore in a meeting when he got wound up...)

Original poster
littlewaltham · 30/04/2014 20:40

AIBU to be angry at the comment?

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