I worked at a company (I've since left) that hired a leader in a very controversial protected class.

34 Comments

1. AnonymousDecember 24,2023 at 6:34PM UTC

   The leadership will always do what's right for the company. So far it sounds like none of the indicators you mentioned can be directly attributed to this particular person. So they will remain while others will leave.

2. AnonymousDecember 25,2023 at 1:18AM UTC

   You’ve left the company, how HR handles this is not your problem. You have no follow up here, who gives a shit what HR and the orgs leaders to protect the company. Move on!

3. AnonymousDecember 25,2023 at 2:20PM UTC

   You don’t mention if it public or private, but eventually the bottom line of such a toxic workplace will be affected and the individual, regardless of protected class, will be held accountable for loss of staff that ultimately results in loss of profit. Everyone reports to someone or a Board and ultimately they are all responsible for the health of the company. Let it go. Move on. In situations like this, there is nothing to be gained except experience and knowledge. You have accomplished this.

4. AnonymousDecember 25,2023 at 2:22PM UTC

   As an HR professional, I would like to know best practices in similar circumstances. I left a position before due to HR Director that behaved like a dictator and gossiped about sensitive employee information. I’m blessed to be with a great organization now, but wonder how these situations should be dealt with.

5. AnonymousDecember 25,2023 at 2:59PM UTC

   HR and leaders should work with an employment law attorney on any necessary steps. They’d be foolish to take that on themselves.

6. L GreenDecember 25,2023 at 3:57PM UTC

   Thanks for this story it only takes 2 people for a class action law suit! You have nothing to lose but everything to gain when you take action against these type of work environments and leadership teams

7. AnonymousDecember 25,2023 at 6:04PM UTC

   They are cowards and idiots if they will let this person drag them down. Don't look back!

8. AnonymousDecember 25,2023 at 6:34PM UTC

   Nothing, litigious claimants if the upper level leadership is unwilling to make a change is going to drive the person staying or going. HR is not the police they are facilitators in most companies and follow what is expected from that upper level. It is good you got out of there for your own career expectations. Don't look back.

9. KellyW43December 25,2023 at 8:27PM UTC

   All they have to do is document. With proof, the person can't do anything.

   But it seems like the company is willing to get a harassment case against them from the 70% of the employees who left rather than the employee who made them leave.

   I hope they figure it out, because there will be a lawsuit either way.

10. AnonymousDecember 26,2023 at 10:23AM UTC

    I will say this, even “minor” interactions can edge along passive aggression. I wish there was more light shed on what exactly was said from both parties.

    But you focusing on the “protected class” detail & you consider them being hired as controversial sounds bias to say the least. I suggest self-reflection and be 1000% honest with yourself…there maybe some unconscious biases there.

    It may sum up what you thought of that person before the drama.

11. AnonymousDecember 26,2023 at 2:07PM UTC

    You are part of the problem. She mentioned protected class because those are contentious and many times cry foul in the public eye if called out on bad behavior. A bad leader doesn’t stop at race, religion or sexual identity, if you are a bad leader you are a bad leader. The problem lies in that trigger words exactly like what you did will be used if that person is called out, and that often leads to lawsuits. The exact thing the company is trying to avoid. Of course all their employees are leaving now because of the toxic environment, and they don’t know what to do. The OP was simply asking what they should do in this situation, I saw absolutely nothing about slamming a protected class or any bias.

12. AnonymousDecember 27,2023 at 2:31PM UTC

    I agree with you. Its reversed racism. I have seen it so many times.

13. AnonymousDecember 30,2023 at 9:24PM UTC

    A protected class is a protected class. Who invented “controversial protected class”?

    Protected class doesn’t always mean race, it encompasses many other categories.

14. AnonymousJanuary 1,2024 at 3:44AM UTC

    This!

15. AnonymousDecember 30,2023 at 9:24PM UTC

    A protected class is a protected class. Who invented “controversial protected class”?

    Protected class doesn’t always mean race, it encompasses many other categories.

16. AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 12:25AM UTC

    Re-read the title of this entire post. To call a class of people “controversial” sounds hostile in itself. To anyone else who claim that they still don’t understand or refuse to, they’re are part of the problem and a much bigger one.

17. AnonymousDecember 27,2023 at 9:45PM UTC

    This comment does not make any sense. You are calling her bias but have no grounds for that statement. If 70% of the staff has resigned, many who were with the company over 10 years, you have to look at the root cause. If she was the only one having this issue, maybe. But, with so many others quitting because of the "toxic" employee, that speaks volume.

18. AnonymousDecember 30,2023 at 9:21PM UTC

    My apologies the OP said “CONTROVERSIAL protected class”…very bias. This is only 1 persons perspective. They can’t speak for other people. There’s a good chance of some truth the “toxic” employee’s to discrimination claims, otherwise the company wouldn’t be in fear. And those people who left probably can easily be bias too. It’s still very much real how far people will go to satisfy their biases because they don’t want to work with someone who is of “controversial class”.

19. AnonymousJanuary 1,2024 at 3:43AM UTC

    The OP is no longer there, help this woman close this chapter and move on!

20. Crystal HowellDecember 26,2023 at 1:40PM UTC

    Class Acton suit for discrimination documented.

    They would probably settle more than your salary, just need 2 people, lawyer , and evidence.

21. AnonymousJanuary 1,2024 at 3:42AM UTC

    Here we go again, call the employment attorney and litigate. .

22. AnonymousDecember 26,2023 at 2:55PM UTC

    I hear you. I once worked for a CXO who was a diversity hire and although she utterly drove the company into the ground, management was "scared" to fire her. She was so incompetent - not because of her minority status of course, she just didn't know anything about the job to be anywhere near such a top-level role - that she fired five Directors under her in under a year including me, for knowing more than she did! Feedback on Glassdoor etc. confirmed how she destroyed what had been a reputable company before she finally left. I suspect management finally took a deep breath and fired her sorry ass. I hope so.

23. Kimberly AnneDecember 27,2023 at 1:12PM UTC

    I worked in healthcare where this occurred. She the bully caused many new hires to quit. She was loud, obvious and in good with higher ups like her. She even got promoted. I recently found out that everyone left that office including her as she got another promotion.

24. AnonymousDecember 30,2023 at 9:10PM UTC

    Sounds more like you were annoyed & kind of jealous. Stay focused on you and surely you could excel in your career too

25. AyianDecember 27,2023 at 3:06PM UTC

    Imagine coming to FGB to vaguepost and expect to have your clear biases upheld.
    Perhaps if you want the answer about what companies can do to protect themselves, you should be a LOT more specific about what happened. Those actions vary based on the situation.

    Also, if you aren't in HR and you're no longer at this company, why do you care what they could do to "protect" the business? Wouldn't you rather know what you can do personally in the situations you found yourself in? You can't dictate what others do anyway.

26. AnonymousDecember 27,2023 at 9:40PM UTC

    I think you missed the whole point (SMH). She is not saying that she wants to know what the company can do to protect themselves. She is saying that she was told that the company fears bad publicity and litigation if they terminate the "toxic" employee because they are in a "protected class". She is asking how they can not only protect the company from these things, but do what's best for the employees as well. Your comment sounded very ignorant.

27. AnonymousDecember 30,2023 at 9:08PM UTC

    If that employee is so toxic, this issue they brought to FGB would be the last thing on their mind. Either way, somebody lying

28. AnonymousJanuary 1,2024 at 3:40AM UTC

    The OP is no longer at this organization, move on! Nothing to see here.

29. AnonymousJanuary 4,2024 at 10:14PM UTC

    You must be the same person that posted this comment already. If people come on here for advise, let them get advise. You do not have to read the comments?.

30. AnonymousJanuary 1,2024 at 3:39AM UTC

    Best comment in this entire thread!

31. Regina BrownDecember 27,2023 at 9:10PM UTC

    As someone that is in a "controversial protected class" (black, female, over 40, with a disability), the whole company may not be involved BUT there could be certain individuals representing the company, that are to blame.

    There is normally an investigation, so the company does need to be aware of any "skeletons in the closet".

    But at the end of the day, if the company has done nothing wrong, what do they have to fear?

32. Rae KennedyDecember 28,2023 at 7:26PM UTC

    It's really hard for me as a person in a "controversial protected class" to read these comments. It's very easy for a person who isn't facing discrimination to say someone else isn't and is being toxic. I face discrimination at EVERY company I work for and EVERY time I've given voice to it, I was vilified. People don't want to get called out if it makes them look or feel bad, even at the expense of others. It doesn't matter if the offense is small or large, it's still an offense. And as another human being who would expect someone to be understanding if you were facing similar circumstances, it's disturbing how many ppl head straight to victim blaming. Maybe the environment became toxic because as soon as this person was hired into a position they EARNED & DESERVED, ppl like you started expressing their contempt instead of continuing to do their jobs . In 2024 let's stop being dense and be compassionate and honest.

33. AnonymousDecember 30,2023 at 9:04PM UTC

    What is “controversial protected class” supposed to even mean?

34. AnonymousDecember 30,2023 at 9:31PM UTC

    Your best bet is to lay them off. Sure you’ll have to pay them unemployment better than going to court & paying 10x the amount.