Working with a senior male colleague today, on Zoom. We have a limited amount of time to interview a client and gain specific information. We both need airtime to get the right insights. The output of our work will be 75% my responsibility and 25% his due to our different specialisms. I’d be happy with roughly 50/50 air time but he consistently dominates and on this occasion allows me about 15 minutes at the end to speak. I’m sick of this pattern but have to defer due to his seniority.
In addition to this, we took a brief comfort break and I arrived back seconds after him and the (male) client. Before I switch my camera back on I hear him joking with the client that the reason I’m not back as soon as them is because women take longer to go to the toilet. I then have to come back online and am allowed my allotted 15 mins of talking time. I’m lucky if he doesn’t interrupt ‘my’ time as well.
My AIBU is: would you have found the toilet remark sexist and undermining in front of the client?
YABU: No, it was no big deal
YANBU: Yep, everyday sexism in action
NB There is a much bigger backdrop here because I am currently working my notice period due to the culture of this firm. I have been a consistently high performer but am sick of the bullying culture, some of which has been overtly gendered. I’m currently having counselling to help rebuild my self esteem before going to a new job after the summer. So my reactions to lower level stuff might be heightened because I am way past the point of no return here.