Charlotte Proudman

[JeanSeberg]

www.theguardian.com/law/2015/sep/08/charlotte-proudman-alexander-carter-silk-linkedin-photo-comment-law-firms

Good for her.

Interestingly, BigChoc, I once put in a formal complaint about my workmates' racism and subsequent bullying of me for speaking up against it. The company in question first made very sure to protect themselves against the claims of racism and then proceeded to ice me out. I ended up resigning as I couldn't face the daily struggle with such a complete lack of support.

I also consulted a solicitor at the time who told me since I was white, I had no grounds for complaint.

White male power is a damned sight stronger than we think sometimes. I really, really wish I'd gone to the local rag with the story as that might have changed something. I have all the respect in the world for Proudman, she's doing what I couldn't.

If using social media to discuss work stuff is on thin ice, sending a sexist message on a professional social network, probably during the working day, to someone interested in connecting with you in part or whole because of the firm you work for is also thin ice.

And again, the only privacy she violated was her own, which is hers to surrender, because she was the subject of the comment.

Where do you stand on the Scudamore emails, Mide?

Never said sending the comment wasn't thin ice Yonic. In fact it's a lot more than that.

I can't really remember the story with scudamore but if he used work emails to make sexist comments he should be disciplined at the very least and in my opinion fired.

Mide7 She doesn't have an employer. Barristers are self-employed but work in chambers (stables in Scotland ) with other barristers and share facilities and running costs.Some chambers will be of a certain ethos and /or specialised work as is the case with her chambers.

His firm will have a social media policy (which he has probably breached) and he and his firm are governed by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority code of conduct. She may have a justifiable complaint in relation to diversity and equality which she could have submitted to them. I think I've read she has or will do so.

He's not an employee either but I expect internally he's being hauled over the coals on this- as he would also be (one would hope) if a letter had been sent to the management partners and the SRA. In my own firm a complaint to our managing partner would be taken very seriously and a letter intimating a complaint has been made to the professional body is an awful letter to get.

Cool thank you for explaining Lass. So there are still people to complain to without going on social media.

Does that distinction give you another way of looking at the issue Lass?

It does but her activism was directed at one particular individual she had other routes to target specifically.

Lass

Do you think she shouldn't have done it if it had been an accountant that did this? Or a less regulated profession - let's say an IT support person?

Yes, I think her message was "ye gads, how much more of this shite?" Not personal!

I would not want to retain a law firm whose partners would blacklist a barrister or advocate because they disapprove of how she dealt with a sexist approach from a work contact. It would be useful if more partners in law firms would express their opinions on this point so we could know who to avoid.

I think it was, Ego, it was her third message that week or similar!

She could have made the point generally, with no names, for activism. Would this have reduced its impact, without the example that was so blatant, from such a 'pillar' type person.

I don't think it would have reduced the impact and she could have continued the targeted personal approach. The carpeting he will (hopefully ) get from his fellow partners and possibly the Law Society would then not be tempered with any shred of consideration of his public humiliation.

She could have used the screenprint blacking out the identifiers as a " here's one I got today-am passing it on to the SRA"

Do you have faith that his fellow partners would have berated him without the publicity, Lass?

I don't know of him or his firm. I have 100% faith the board in my firm and the managing (male) partner would have, had she complained direct to them and/or the Law Society.