Wicked Witch

[littlewaltham]

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?

littlewaltham, xh had to lay off staff in the past and got called names such as sht, are, c**t. I would assume you would prefer being called those non gender specific names rather than wicked witch? The issue with staff when they face losing their jobs is it becomes very personal to them therefore the person involved tends to be a personal target and as such gender may get involved, same as colour or sexual preference. Even if everyone in the company behaves while they are safely employed, job losses alienate individuals and personal attacks become the stock response. Not saying lashing out is right but insults are fired back at the perceived source of job losses and regardless of sex can be painful.

Gender, colour and sexual orientation are only brought into it if the person is female, black or gay.

c**t may be considered misogynistic, dependent on context.

And I agree with Bifaunen.

Sausage I would have preferred if my colleagues had simply highlighted that I may get some flack rather than trying out any of the potential labels gender specific or otherwise.

I am probably being too naive in thinking that voluntary redundancy may appeal to some staff and by the sounds of your xh's experience i had better bolster myself for a stronger reaction than I anticipate.

Bifaunen is spot on and that is my point.