After a previous popular post regarding writing indiscretions (in a blog), I thought you would enjoy a similar tale that definitely did result in a P45! It is about a 23 year old Cantor Fitzgerald City Broker called Venetia Thompson. She was sacked after writing in The Spectator, about the 'taboo subject' of their male dominated culture within their offices in the Square Mile.
The 'Posh Bird' Broker, as she called herself, wrote that half the City was functioning on very little sleep, with many people still frequently drunk at work after going out with Clients and returning to work soon after. This is something that she is proud of doing herself many times, as well as accepting extreme mail taunting, seeing first hand office violence and bullying as well as creating a new language of cockney obscenities!!
While all this isn't too surprising (if you have ever had the pleasure of a City wine bar any lunchtime), what is more surreal is that Venetia graduated from a top university with a degree in Russian, and chose the role with Cantor over some great jobs in investment banking!! Are the grad schemes really that unappealing at the investment banks??
Anyway she got marched in and sacked for gross misconduct - which I guess is no real surprise when you have read her story. But for me, it does raise the question of how Cantor Fitzgerald still get away with such a blatantly sexist, racist and alcoholic work culture? It's not how their career site sell themselves...."If you are looking for a unique employment experience, then we are the employer for you. We are actively recruiting for a diverse range of opportunities. We offer competitive pay/benefits packages and a work environment committed to professional growth."
Not great advertising for career minded grads is it?!!!
