EY instructs women employees on how to act around men
It's been two years since the #MeToo movement forced people to view workplaces with a feminist lens, uncovering everyday sexism and sexual abuse, however, the issue remains rampant. Thankfully, accounting firm Ernst & Young has narrowed down the problem: women. Subsequently, EY made its women executives take leadership training, telling them how they need to act around men. Here are more details.
Women executives offered tips on how to fix themselves
The Huffington Post accessed a 55-page presentation for a day-and-a-half-long seminar (called Power-Presence-Purpose or PPP). With the participation of 30 women executives at the firm, the training was reportedly held at EY's office in Hoboken, New Jersey, in June 2018, months after EY dealt with a MeToo scandal of its own. The seminar offered women tips on how they could fix themselves.
What was the MeToo scandal at EY?
Earlier that year, an EY partner, Jessica Casucci, had accused the firm of failing to act against the sexual assault allegation she made against a fellow partner. The complaint was filed internally in 2016, however, the accused partner was fired only after Casucci went public.
'Don't flaunt your body; sexuality scrambles the mind'
The presentation offered women a multitude of sexist pointers on how they need to look "polished," with a "good haircut, manicured nails, well-cut attire that complements your body type," HuffPo reported. Women employees should "signal fitness and wellness," stated the seminar, which later goes on to tell women, "Don't flaunt your body - sexuality scrambles the mind (for men and women)."
Felt like a piece of meat: Employee who underwent training
Notably, a former EY executive director who attended the training- identified as Jane in the report- said this specific aspect of the training made her "feel like a piece of meat." She recalled being told that men cannot focus on what a woman says if she's showing skin.
Women had to grade themselves on 'feminine/masculine' traits
According to HuffPo, before each workshop, women participants were also asked to rate themselves on traits listed on a 'Masculine/Feminine Score Sheet'. Masculine traits include "Acts as a Leader," "Aggressive," "Ambitious," "Analytical," "Has Leadership Abilities," "Strong Personality" and "Willing to Take a Stand." On the contrary, feminine traits include "Affectionate," "Cheerful," "Childlike," "Compassionate," "Gullible," "Loves Children" and "Yielding."
Women 'often ramble and miss the point'
The presentation also lists out the "Invisible Rules" for men and women while communicating. It says women "speak briefly" and "often ramble and miss the point" during meetings. It said women don't interrupt "effectively"—they wait their turn (that never comes) and raise their hands—unlike men.
'Don't talk to a man face-to-face'
Jane shared the notes she took during the PPP training with HuffPo, which reportedly stated: "Don't directly confront men in meetings, because men perceive this as threatening." "If you're having a conversation with a man, cross your legs and sit at an angle to him. Don't talk to a man face-to-face. Men see that as threatening." "Don't be too aggressive or outspoken."
Be the perfect Stepford wife: Attendees told during training
"You have to offer your thoughts in a benign way," Jane recalled being told in training, "You have to be the perfect Stepford wife." Jane added, "The only way to succeed is to work around the men. I heard that over and over."
Women's brains 6-11% smaller than men's, training informed employees
Reportedly, women were also told that women's brains are 6-11% smaller than a man's, apparently implying that their brains don't work as well, even though, according to Bruce McEwen, a neuroscientist at Rockefeller University, "Brain size is irrelevant." Women were told their brains are like pancakes that "soak up syrup," making it hard for them to focus, while men's brains are like waffles.
Contents of training taken out of context: EY
Meanwhile, EY had clarified that although the course has been under review and the firm no longer offers the training "in its current form," it was valued by the women executives who participated in the training. It said that HuffPo took the contents of the training "out of context." However, in a later statement to The Hill, the firm distanced itself from the presentation.
'Presentation doesn't reflect EY's values or culture'
An EY spokesperson told The Hill that the program "does not reflect EY's values or culture and should not have been offered to any of our women." They added, "We are undertaking a comprehensive review of our processes and controls around program content as there is no question that elements of the program included offensive content that is inconsistent with our core beliefs."
'We do not advocate conformity among our people'
The spokesperson further said, "We value and celebrate the differences of our people and do not advocate conformity among our people. We are incredibly proud of our women and our longstanding commitment to diversity, inclusion and creating a culture of belonging for all."
