A silly remark could cost you everything
THE fate of John Allan, the former head of the CBI who has departed as chairman of Tesco and Barratt Developments as a consequence of unsubstantiated allegations of inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour, should serve as a salutary warning to all employees.
When I worked in the civil service, my bottom was groped by a woman member of staff. I objected, she apologised and the matter was forgotten. I didn’t make a formal complaint.
The office lifts were very small and you would have to squeeze past the other occupants to get out at your floor. Once, a female member of staff asked if I was aware I had ‘brushed’ her bottom when leaving the lift. I replied: ‘Absolutely not! But if I did unintentionally come into contact with you, I apologise.’ She accepted this.
All formal complaints of bullying, harassment and discrimination should be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. But in the situations I experienced, and apparently the ones that cost John Allan his jobs, such sensitive issues are often best dealt with informally, without recourse to a prolonged and stressful formal investigation and disciplinary process. A quiet word from a senior colleague to Mr Allan could have explained that some personal comments to female staff, though not intended to be sexist or offensive, could possibly be thought
of in that light. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard a male member of staff compliment a female colleague, and vice versa, on a new hairstyle or outfit with: ‘You are looking gorgeous today.’
Instead of making a complaint, most people keep a sense of proportion and treat such exchanges as office banter. I’m not attempting to belittle improper conduct, but being pilloried and deprived of your livelihood over compliments that may have been misconstrued or misinterpreted, sometimes deliberately, is grossly unfair and against the principles of natural justice.
Everyone has the right to due process. Mr Allan has not only lost his jobs, but also suffered reputational damage without a shred of corroborative evidence. How can this be just and fair? Would you be happy to be treated in a similar manner?
PETER HENRICK, Birmingham.
I’VE suffered a similar experience to John Allan. I worked for a company for 15 years, winning awards and receiving nearly 1,000 positive customer comments. But I lost my job because the company believed a customer rather than me over an allegation of inappropriate conduct despite questionable CCTV footage and no third-party evidence. So much for dedication and commitment.
Name and address supplied.
■ MR ALLAN denies three allegations against him and has ‘apologised unreservedly’ for a ‘misjudged’ comment made to a female colleague at a CBI conference in 2019 — an apology which was accepted.