Gender imbalance has persisted for too long

Diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer, like most females I also had to battle a systematic culture of sexist bullying in the workplace, and the time has come to say enough is enough.

About 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

At the time, I was working in the public sector. I had moved from one institution to another, taking up a leading position with a second organisation.

In that position, I experienced systemic sexism on a regular basis. I was a young, bright female with big plans and ambitions for my role. After all, that is why I got the job (as determined by a gender-balanced panel).

However, the male-dominated management of this particular institution seemed to be perturbed at my ability to get things done efficiently and well.

I began to experience resistance at every level, except from the head of the institution who appeared to appreciate the work I was doing.

I was asked by the other management team not to copy him on emails — wasting his time on matters that did not concern him. However, I quickly realised they were trying to keep him in the dark, and so I systematically copied him on all relevant emails, to ensure he was kept informed. But, by doing so, I created enemies.

One such incident was the following: Unexpected, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 cervical cancer. I had no symptoms of this, so it came as a shock.

I was summonsed for major serious surgery at short notice. I pushed out the time for my operation to ensure the project was well advanced — I took my work very seriously.

Although I was hired six months after the project start-date, I hit the ground running and quickly made up the lost time within a three-year contract. I sometimes felt I alarmed the virtually exclusive male management team, as I encountered a lot of resistance by them at every turn.

However, I was not perturbed, and so continued to make ripples to ensure our work was done efficiently and well – a typical female trait I would argue!

Soon after my diagnosis for cervical cancer, I enquired from the institution’s HR (male) manager about my sick leave entitlements, but I did not get any response with the requested details.

I sent another reminder email, to no avail. I then gave the required notice and went on sick leave in order to undergo major surgery for cervical cancer. My prognosis was uncertain.

My life was hanging in the balance as I was one step away from being diagnosed with having terminal cancer.

The operation would determine how far this aggressive, fast-growing tumour had spread. This aggressive weed growing in my body had flourished unbeknownst to me.

Thankfully my gynaecologist had unexpectedly picked up on it following the birth of my second — and last — baby.

The operation took twice as long as anticipated. My surgery appeared successful, and some days later, the results were back. To the amazement of my surgeon, it seemed the cancer had not spread to my lymphnodes.

Given I had a stage 3 prognosis, this was nothing short of a miracle. Thankfully, it appeared that the cancer was caught just on time.

That was November. As the recovery was slow and painful, I spent a happy Christmas with my husband and two babies, delighted with the new good news, and focused on recovery and the future.

Then, mid-January, I got the call from the HR manager from work. He was on loudspeaker with the institution’s financial manager (another male).

They both started the conversation by wishing me well, enquired how my recovery was going, and when did I think I would be likely to return to work?

I informed them that I was meeting my gynaecologist/oncologist consultant the following week, and he would advise me of that. I assured them that I would let them know once I knew myself.

In the next breath, the HR manager then said, “oh, by the way, you were enquiring earlier about your sick leave entitlements?”

“Yes”, I replied, “in October”.

“Well”, he said almost sounding gleeful, “I enquired from the Government’s Department of Finance, and it turns out that you are in fact not entitled to sick leave entitlements, as you are on a three-year contract, and therefore, we unfortunately had to cut off your salary from the 31st of December”.

I was in shock as this phonecall was happening mid-January. Not alone was I trying to recover from a very serious illness and operation from cancer, but now, they were telling me they also cut off my financial lifeline that paid my mortgage, household, childcare and medical bills.

I couldn’t believe my ears. I felt it was a form of entrapment. They then re-asked me the question when had I planned to return to work. I was hurt, upset, angry, mad, and furious all at once.

However, I kept my cool. “Well”, I said repeatedly, “as I told you, I will let you know when I meet with my medical consultant next week”. On that note, we ended the conversation and I hung up.

My head was reeling. But, I was so mad, I was determined to get to the bottom of this. So my next phone call was to the Department of Finance.

I got through to the relevant department, relayed my story to an official there who transferred me to the particular section in question.

The man that answered was very nice. When I relayed my story, he was in the horrors hearing what I had to say. To his credit, he advised me what to do.

Reading between the lines, I felt he did not have a high regard for this HR person. He advised that a Freedom of Information inquiry from both the institutions might reveal some very interesting correspondence, and that it might be in my interest to do so with immediate effect.

I thanked him for his time, honesty and support. As I hung up the phone, I actually felt that might be a God there after all.

Meanwhile, I emailed the head of the institution where I worked to inform him of the situation. I also suggested that for all the ‘get well wishes’, prayers, and flowers, that his institution was a Catholic Institution devoid of a Christian spirit.

Meanwhile, my Freedom of Information (FOI) request created waves. Because my work knew that I made requests of both the Department of Finance and the institution I worked in for the same correspondence there was pressure to hand over every email and document pertaining to me.

A failure to do so would become quickly apparent and serious consequences would flow. Interestingly, the FoI request revealed the HR manager emailed the Finance Department, virtually insisting to the department that I was not entitled to sick-leave entitlements, and if they could verify that, that would be great.

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The government official wrote back to this HR manager, several times, to inform him that his institution was an independent body, and basically, it was at their discretion whether or not to pay me my sick leave entitlements, according to my contract and the relevant law.

It became obvious the HR manager took matters into his own hands, determining I was not entitled to sick pay, and in the full knowledge of his buddy, the financial manager (who was also on the call to ‘wish me well’ and then tell me they had just docked my pay).

Clearly they both decided my pay had to be stopped with immediate effect, and did so two weeks before informing me.

Meanwhile, when I had my medical appointment with my oncologist consultant. I relayed the story. He was horrified that any institution, particularly one with a Catholic ethos, could do such a thing.

He subsequently wrote a very strong letter to my HE workplace, informing them that I, his patient, was “recovering from major surgery for cancer”.

When the head of the institution became aware of the situation, (as I immediately informed him of the situation via email), he immediately ensured my salary was reinstated.

When I returned to work, the entire episode was white-washed over, as if it never happened. But this, as it transpired, was only one incidence of many relating to what I believe was a systemic culture of sexist bullying within the workplace.

I experienced a persistent, pervasive and insidious attitude of “I’ll show her”, a “who does she think she is?” An attitude of “let’s put her back into her box”, which they tried to do but failed. They were not exposed publicly for their evil act — that is, until now.

There is a culture of male entitlement, male privilege and male chauvinism, especially within the workplace in my experience. I could write a book on the various forms of sexist bullying I have experienced as a woman in the workplace during my 15 years.

I believe sexism is systemic, endemic and rife. Most of my female colleagues have been victims of some form of sexism (some worse than others). For me, the problem is that I tend to point out that the Emperor has no clothing, especially when they would rather believe in the fine imaginary gowns the Emperor is wearing.

Of course, they do not like when I reflect reality. They prefer the fantasy of their exalted male egos. I have been persistently and systematically discriminated against and dismissed in equal measure, mostly because I tell the truth. But now, with maturity, I have gone past the point of caring. All I care about is the truth.

Time and time again, you see brave women like Vicky Phelan or Catherine Corless speaking out against injustice and incompetence within a male-dominated system.

It is time malevolent male behaviour and bald sexism is rooted out. We need stronger whistleblower legislation and stronger policies and legislation around gender balance, to ensure women are given genuine equal opportunities, especially if they are to become role models for future generations of girls.

The culture of white, male entitlement coupled with fear of female domination has to change. The problem is, as men suspect, women will probably outshine them, highlight their inadequacies by performing to a higher standard. And therein lies the problem.

Well, I say, “tough”. No woman should ever have to endure what I endured, and I continue to endure insidious sexism at work.

Mine is only a drop in the ocean. Most of my female colleagues have experienced discrimination in some shape or form. It is time to expose this and get rid of institutional male sexism for once and for all.

If ever, now is the time to act.

The writer has asked for her name to be withheld to protect her identity