We should all be bullied once, CBI worker told

New claim of ‘unsafe’ workplace follows sex abuse allegations against confederation employee

A WOMAN working at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) was allegedly told by a male colleague “everyone should be bullied once in their lifetime” as part of an alleged campaign of verbal abuse at the embattled lobby group.

The woman, who has since left the confederation, told The Sunday Telegraph that she felt unsafe and helpless following a barrage of derogatory, offensive remarks that were reported to the woman’s manager but played a key role in her decision to quit. She said: “I felt unsafe, vigilant of the next ambush and helpless … it did have a negative impact on me, my ability to perform well at the CBI and my career over all.

“This unwanted attention also played a deciding role in me ending my work contract early and being reluctant to go back to the corporate world.”

The fresh claims come as the CBI – which is said to represent 190,000 businesses, including much of the FTSE 100 – faces a deepening crisis over alleged serious sexual misconduct.

One woman has told The Guardian she was raped at a 2019 staff party, with other complainants describing a “toxic culture” of “unchecked misogyny”.

The crisis forced the organisation to postpone its flagship annual dinner, while the Government and Labour Party have broken off contact.

The woman who spoke to The Telegraph said that on one occasion, her male colleague said “everyone should be bullied once in their lifetime”. She raised the bullying with her manager, who was supportive, however, she now regrets her decision not to escalate the complaint amid concern that she lacked concrete evidence. She said: “Maybe, if I had acted then, it would have stopped unwanted attention and I would still have a job.”

City law firm Fox Williams has been hired by the CBI to carry out an independent investigation. It is also examining separate allegations of impropriety against CBI director-general Tony Danker, who has stepped aside pending the outcome. He is accused of sending unsolicited messages to a female employee and has apologised for causing “offence or anxiety” saying it was “completely unintentional”.

Last week, the confederation suffered a significant blow when ministers and Treasury and Business Department officials said they would stop meetings while it investigates the allegations.

Andrew Bailey, the Governor of the Bank of England, pulled out of the body’s flagship annual dinner in May, and the event has now been cancelled. A number of high-profile businesses are also understood to be reviewing links.

Other accusations being examined by Fox Williams include a former CBI board member allegedly touching a female employee’s bottom and making a sexualised remark to another woman within earshot of colleagues.

The board member apologised and claimed they did not mean to cause offence, according to The Guardian, but then made a similar remark to a different woman some months later.

The CBI champions workplace equality and, last month, Mr Danker told businesses to embrace progressive values. Matthew Fell, its policy chief, has stepped in as director-general.

A spokesman for the CBI said: “It’s deeply regrettable and completely unacceptable that any staff member would feel poorly treated or unsafe.

“The CBI has treated and continues to treat all matters of workplace conduct with the utmost seriousness.”