What my female senior executive boss told me today

[Metaphor]

Yesterday, I started a new job (a promotion to a different Australian government Department -- yay me!).

Today, I met my boss's boss's boss. To put it into perspective, I am at the top level of the 'ordinary' public service grade (called APS), my line manager is executive level 1 (EL1) , above him is the executive level 2, and above EL2 is the first rank of senior executive service (SES band 1), so this was my first contact with a senior executive in the organisation who is directly above me in the chain of command and will have significant power, if she chooses, over my future prospects in the Department.

Literally, quite literally, the first words out of her mouth were an unveiled jab at my gender and the gender composition of my team. "Hi, the latest addition...to this all-male team. We'll have to see what we can do about that". For context, I work in a small team of five people, all of whom were selected because we have extensive data analysis and evaluation experience, and not because we had penises.

What would you do if you were in my position?

 

[TV and credit cards]

Keep a detailed record of the conversation. This isn't the first time, I'll bet. There have been others. There may be more.
We recently removed our boss's boss. It took all of us sitting around a table talking to the big boss. It helped that there was a manager from another department who also had negative encounters with the individual of concern.
Of course being a government employee, he still has a job but has been removed from any position of authority so no one has to suffer this individual.
Documentation.

 

[Axulus]

Yesterday, I started a new job (a promotion to a different Australian government Department -- yay me!).

Today, I met my boss's boss's boss. To put it into perspective, I am at the top level of the 'ordinary' public service grade (called APS), my line manager is executive level 1 (EL1) , above him is the executive level 2, and above EL2 is the first rank of senior executive service (SES band 1), so this was my first contact with a senior executive in the organisation who is directly above me in the chain of command and will have significant power, if she chooses, over my future prospects in the Department.

Literally, quite literally, the first words out of her mouth were an unveiled jab at my gender and the gender composition of my team. "Hi, the latest addition...to this all-male team. We'll have to see what we can do about that". For context, I work in a small team of five people, all of whom were selected because we have extensive data analysis and evaluation experience, and not because we had penises.

What would you do if you were in my position?

Are you sure it wasn't just an awkward joke? She may just be poking fun that the team is all male (since diversity is supposed to be a goal these days). If she really had in issue with it I'd imagine she would've given a directive to those beneath her to "make sure you add women to the all male teams", in which case you probably wouldn't have been hired in the first place. If you think she had some seriousness to it, just document what you see and hear from her (and perhaps her direct subordinates) going forward in case something becomes actionable.

 

[barbos]

Yesterday, I started a new job (a promotion to a different Australian government Department -- yay me!).

Today, I met my boss's boss's boss. To put it into perspective, I am at the top level of the 'ordinary' public service grade (called APS), my line manager is executive level 1 (EL1) , above him is the executive level 2, and above EL2 is the first rank of senior executive service (SES band 1), so this was my first contact with a senior executive in the organisation who is directly above me in the chain of command and will have significant power, if she chooses, over my future prospects in the Department.

Literally, quite literally, the first words out of her mouth were an unveiled jab at my gender and the gender composition of my team. "Hi, the latest addition...to this all-male team. We'll have to see what we can do about that". For context, I work in a small team of five people, all of whom were selected because we have extensive data analysis and evaluation experience, and not because we had penises.

What would you do if you were in my position?

Are you sure it wasn't just an awkward joke? She may just be poking fun that the team is all male (since diversity is supposed to be a goal these days). If she really had in issue with it I'd imagine she would've given a directive to those beneath her to "make sure you add women to the all male teams", in which case you probably wouldn't have been hired in the first place. If you think she had some seriousness to it, just document what you see and hear from her (and perhaps her direct subordinates) going forward in case something becomes actionable.

Or he can do sex change operation

 

[Jayjay]

Yesterday, I started a new job (a promotion to a different Australian government Department -- yay me!).

Today, I met my boss's boss's boss. To put it into perspective, I am at the top level of the 'ordinary' public service grade (called APS), my line manager is executive level 1 (EL1) , above him is the executive level 2, and above EL2 is the first rank of senior executive service (SES band 1), so this was my first contact with a senior executive in the organisation who is directly above me in the chain of command and will have significant power, if she chooses, over my future prospects in the Department.

Literally, quite literally, the first words out of her mouth were an unveiled jab at my gender and the gender composition of my team. "Hi, the latest addition...to this all-male team. We'll have to see what we can do about that". For context, I work in a small team of five people, all of whom were selected because we have extensive data analysis and evaluation experience, and not because we had penises.

What would you do if you were in my position?

Seriously though, unless she actually does add someone who is not qualified to the team, I don't see a huge problem. Of course from your description it's not possible to tell if the tone was being condescending or humorous or what. And surely, there is some avenue for feedback, either anonymously or through your immediate boss?

 

[Nice Squirrel]

Keep an eye on it and document it if it gets out of hand. I work with a women's sports organization and the sexist comments constantly fly. Stuff that would get you or me a severe talking to.

 

[Achwienichtig]

To present the flipside of things, my wife was recently hired as a manager working with a mostly female team. Without getting into a long story, she's been having a problem with transition because she can't assert authority without being termed bossy or bitchy.

For you, I'd say the most important thing is not to take it personally. It's only an issue if it starts affecting your work or the work of those around you. If it does start affecting your work, document it as others have suggested.

 

[Derec]

Sexism is ok if it's against men.

- - - Updated - - -

To present the flipside of things, my wife was recently hired as a manager working with a mostly female team.

Did any male boss say that this must be changed?

 

[scombrid]

Literally, quite literally, the first words out of her mouth were an unveiled jab at my gender and the gender composition of my team. "Hi, the latest addition...to this all-male team. We'll have to see what we can do about that". For context, I work in a small team of five people, all of whom were selected because we have extensive data analysis and evaluation experience, and not because we had penises.

What would you do if you were in my position?

Record such things and see if any discrimination manifests.

Was just as likely an awkward joke since diversity is a goal these days but in a field such as yours the applicant pool generally precludes much diversity.

 

[Achwienichtig]

To present the flipside of things, my wife was recently hired as a manager working with a mostly female team.

Did any male boss say that this must be changed?

I don't think you got the point. You only quoted half of my paragraph. There is nothing easy about being a female boss, and working with a female team doesn't make it any easier. If a man asserts authority, he's just being "strictly about business." If a woman asserts authority, she's a bitch. I don't want to go into specifics, but my wife has first hand experience of this.

And, by the way, overt sexism against women still exists in the workplace.

 

[thebeave]

The OP reminds me of this feminist classic:

 

[Horatio Parker]

Cut her some slack. If it continues, keep an eye on it. I issue a one-gaffe-pass, since I've been known to commit them myself.

First time, shame on her, second time, shame on you etc.

 

[braces_for_impact]

She may be aware of diversity issues within the organization that you are not. Personally, I would have replied something along the likes of: "I agree that diversity is an important strength no department should be without if it can be avoided. I look forward to working with anyone qualified for inclusion in the team."

"Nice to meet you, sugar tits, now make me a sammich" might be an advisable follow up. Or not.

 

[Bronzeage]

Yesterday, I started a new job (a promotion to a different Australian government Department -- yay me!).

Today, I met my boss's boss's boss. To put it into perspective, I am at the top level of the 'ordinary' public service grade (called APS), my line manager is executive level 1 (EL1) , above him is the executive level 2, and above EL2 is the first rank of senior executive service (SES band 1), so this was my first contact with a senior executive in the organisation who is directly above me in the chain of command and will have significant power, if she chooses, over my future prospects in the Department.

Literally, quite literally, the first words out of her mouth were an unveiled jab at my gender and the gender composition of my team. "Hi, the latest addition...to this all-male team. We'll have to see what we can do about that". For context, I work in a small team of five people, all of whom were selected because we have extensive data analysis and evaluation experience, and not because we had penises.

What would you do if you were in my position?

A good job.

Beyond that, learn as much as possible, get as much experience as possible and be worth more than you are paid. A good executive wants people who makes his/her job easier, just because they showed up for work. If you find yourself working for a bad executive, consider it tuition and use your newly gained education to get a better job, someplace else.

 

[Derec]

I don't think you got the point. You only quoted half of my paragraph. There is nothing easy about being a female boss, and working with a female team doesn't make it any easier. If a man asserts authority, he's just being "strictly about business." If a woman asserts authority, she's a bitch. I don't want to go into specifics, but my wife has first hand experience of this.

I think it's exactly the opposite. You can't call a woman a "bitch" without being accused of sexism, no matter how much she may deserve it. On the other hand, it's perfectly PC to call a man names. Hell, even negatively generalizing all men ("all men are pigs" for example) is more acceptable than calling an individual woman a bitch. Just look at the way any attack on Hildebeest is labeled "sexism" by her supporters.

And, by the way, overt sexism against women still exists in the workplace.

Nothing compared to overt sexism against men. Case in point: men's dress codes are way stricter than women's - hell women can wear yoga pants to work these days!

 

[laughing dog]

I think it's exactly the opposite. You can't call a woman a "bitch" without being accused of sexism, no matter how much she may deserve it.

No one is the workplace deserves to be called "bitch" or "cunt" or "asshole" or any vulgar name.

On the other hand, it's perfectly PC to call a man names. Hell, even negatively generalizing all men ("all men are pigs" for example) is more acceptable than calling an individual woman a bitch.

There is a real difference between a stupid insulting generalization and a stupid insult to a specific co-worker.

Nothing compared to overt sexism against men. Case in point: men's dress codes are way stricter than women's - hell women can wear yoga pants to work these days!

Drawing conclusions from isolated anecdotes is not a particularly valid method for making an argument. Especially when it is clear you don't know wtf you are talking about.

 

[Keith&Co.]

On the other hand, it's perfectly PC to call a man names.

Point of order, it is not Politically Correct to call anyone names.
PC was created to fight all negative behaviors. Male-aimed sexism is not in accordance with the concepts of political correctness.

I think it would be more accurate to say, and I think what you actually meant, was that most of the PC Nazis won't bother to correct someone who's being non-PC as long as the victim of the oppression is one of the oppressors....

 

[Derec]

I think it would be more accurate to say, and I think what you actually meant, was that most of the PC Nazis won't bother to correct someone who's being non-PC as long as the victim of the oppression is one of the oppressors....

I think the one-sidedness is one of the defining characteristics of actually existing political correctness.

 

[Nice Squirrel]

I think it's exactly the opposite. You can't call a woman a "bitch" without being accused of sexism, no matter how much she may deserve it.

Which definition of "bitch" does not imply female?

On the other hand, it's perfectly PC to call a man names.

I'm not sure we are working in the same society. Name calling is never okay.

Hell, even negatively generalizing all men ("all men are pigs" for example) is more acceptable than calling an individual woman a bitch. Just look at the way any attack on Hildebeest is labeled "sexism" by her supporters.

Who the hell is Hildebeest? I think there is some serious head canon going on in this reality.

And, by the way, overt sexism against women still exists in the workplace.

Nothing compared to overt sexism against men.

Yes, that's why my female workers make 30% less than what I make for the same job.

 

[Derec]

No one is the workplace deserves to be called "bitch" or "cunt" or "asshole" or any vulgar name.

I guess not, but if a horrible male boss were to be called a vulgar name nobody would cry "sexism". But if a horrible female boss is called a vulgar name there are definite calls of sexism.
Gender equality means that women can be just as horrible as men and it is not sexism to point that out, even if using colorful language.

There is a real difference between a stupid insulting generalization and a stupid insult to a specific co-worker.

Even when a specific co-worker is female a stupid insult directed at her is not necessarily sexist. Just like a similar insult against a specific male co-worker would not be.

Drawing conclusions from isolated anecdotes is not a particularly valid method for making an argument. Especially when it is clear you don't know wtf you are talking about.

Am I wrong about much laxer office dress codes when it comes to women for example? Yoga pants and no neck chokers - sounds pretty good to me!