The Business team recently hired a junior business executive- Neha. Neha is the youngest member in the team and was hired for her exceptional performance in Business school.
The other team members are all conservative men, aged 40 and above. They have raised concerns about Neha’s choice of clothes. They claim that her clothes are ‘provocative’ and are worried that it may project the company in bad light.
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You're sitting in front of your desk, completing a form. You're highly focus, when you're hearing someone knocking on your door.
[["You can come in!"|1]]
The door opens timidly, and you can see Neha entering your office.
"Good morning... I am sorry to bother you, but I have something to tell you. It's about my coworkers."
She is now standing in your office. You take a look at the time and peek at all the work waiting for you.
[[I am sorry Neha, but I don't have the time right now. Is it really important?|NO]]
[[Yes of course. Is everything alright?|Yes]]
She looks at you, annoyed.
"Well, not really... I think it can wait. Sorry to bother you."
She closed the door as soon as she apologized. Maybe you were to harsh, and she looked hurt, but you have a lot of work to do, you can't be distract.
The morning end quickly, and just before lunch you send an e-mail for your friend to eat with them.
You get a positive reply. When you're leaving your office, you catch a glimpse of Neha's friends trying to console her.
[[Go to lunch.|LunchTime]]
You show her a chair. She sits, and you can tell she is unconfortable.
"Are you sure you okay Neha? You seem... well... embarrassed?"
She let a nervous laugh, and reply:
"Well. You know I am quiet new here. And my integration is still very difficult. Being the only woman is not an easy thing, I feel rejected sometimes. But the most disturbing is the fact that they all seem to look down on me. I don't know why, but I feel like I'm not in my proper place."
You took a few seconds to answer.
[[I can understand how you're feeling. It's been less than two months since you are here, so maybe they need more time to adjust. Don't worry about it.|It'sOkay]]
[[Neha, I think you are exaggerating. Just focus on your work, an let them get used to you. You'll be fine, don't worry.|FuckOff]]
[[What do you mean by looking down on you? I can understand that you're feeling excluded, because you're quiet new, but if you want, we can arrange a sort of meeting with them to talk and check if everything's good.|Meeting]]
Neha nods and tell you:
"Yeah, you're right. I'll try my best. Sorry to bother you. Have a nice day, boss."
The morning end quickly, and just before lunch you send an e-mail for your friend to eat with them.
You get a positive reply. When you're leaving your office, you catch a glimpse of Neha's friends trying to console her.
You feel a bit bad for her, but you know she will get used to them. You know it's not easy for her, but you are convinced everything will be okay.
[[Go to lunch.|LunchTime]]
-> neha se barre
-> qqn vient te voir au bureau te disant qu'il la vue chialer
-> tu lui demandes pourquoi
-> il t'explique rapidement qu'elle se sent pas bien à cause des mecs
-> lunch avec les mecs
OU
-> retourner la voir pour en savoir plus et proposer les solutions
She seems eased.
"The meeting is a good idea, but I don't want them to think that I want to cause some troubles..."
"Don't worry. Before scheduling the meeting I will eat with them at lunch. Do you think they neglect you because you're a woman? Or there is something else?"
"Sincerly, I think it's only because I am a woman, and I am the youngest here. It's very difficult to socialize with them. Plus, sometimes, they make some jokes about my clothes, and from time to time about my work."
"Ok, thank you for your answer. I will send an e-mail to ask them if I could eat with them, and then arrange a meeting if it is needed. I will keep you informed."
Neha thanks you again, and leaves your office. As soon as she left, you send an e-mail to the group. You are quiet concerned. Neha is a very intelligent, and a hard-worker, and you don't want a bad atmosphere at work.
You get not long after a positive response, and prepare yourself to go.
[[*Go to lunch.*|LunchTime]]
You meet with the group, as planned. They're already sit, and seem to be waiting for you.
"Hello everyone, I hope I am on time!"
"Don't worry, we didn't begin. So how was your morning?"
You began to discuss on whatever subject, work, home, the good movies you have seen this week-end.. Everyone is in a good mood, and you have trouble to imagine Neha struggling with them.
When the good time comes, you decide to talk about her.
"I just realize something: why Neha isn't with you?"
The group begin to sigh. Apparently, it's strike a chord with them.
Rayan shrugs:
"Well, you know, she is very young. We are old men! What are we gonna do with a young girl like her? We don't have the same interests."
"I have to ask, chief. Because we think it's important, but what do you think about her way of dressing? I mean, it's not professionnal at all!"
[[What do you mean?|Revelation]]
"Well. You know we are a good company. We have to show to all our employees, directors, and clients that we are hard-workers, serious, and especially respectful."
"Why do you think Neha is not respectful?" You asked.
"I don't mean she is not respectful. I know she works a lot, and she is good at it, but I can't stand the way she dresses herself. I know a lot of people, not only here, but in all the company, think she has no respect for herself. She has no traditional and moral values. How can we take her seriously?!" Said Malik.
"Personnaly, if I was a client, I wouldn't work with someone like her, even if she does a good job. I would have, and I have, a lot of apprehension."
They look at you, waiting for your answer.
[["I have to admit that you're right... It's not good for our clients, and our business. I will ask her to be more careful."|Shame]]
[["Well, we are a modern company, aren't we? We need to be more open-minded. Neha has the right to dress as she wants to. I have to add, all of you are dressed as you want to, aren't you? So why would I blame Neha?"|Nice]]
[["We can have another solution. I don't want Neha to feel ashamed, and I prefer to get around the problem. What do you guys think about a dress code?"|Fauxcul]]
When lunch is over, you return to your office. You look at the time, and see that Neha has almost finished her break time. Before you could send her an e-mail asking her to come, Rayan knocks on your door.
"Sorry boss, but will you ask Neha to be more careful?"
"Yes, I will send her an e-mail, and I will tell her face-to-face. Why?"
"Because I think it would make a better impact on her if we schedule a meeting, with everyone. Plus, Neha is not the only one, and I suggest we create a new policy by taking her as an exemple."
[[I am not sure if this is a good idea. She would feel ashamed, and she doesn't need that right now. I'll talk to her in private."|Gentil]]
[[If our clients can trust us more, and if you can improve our business, it's a good idea. We have to put our work in front on everything else. We have to remind them our values."|connard]]
"But Neha is a bad exemple for our company!"
"No she is not. She shows modernity, she is very respectful towards all of you, our clients, and she is a very good worker. I won't loose a good employee like her. I think you should reconsider your point of view. What do our clients want? An old fashioned company? We have to be an exemple for everyone, and I think it's important to have someone young to attract new customers. We have to look forward. If you can't work with her, just tell me, and I will find new solutions other than asking her to change."
They all look concerned.
"I refuse to work with her."
"Well, if it is what you think, what can I say? You create a bad atmosphere for everyone, especially Neha. If you want to resign, just do it. Otherwise, try to adjust yourself and show some open-mindedness."
They look at each other, withtout knowing what to do.
---------------------------------------------------------------
It's been three months since the meeting. Rayan has resigned, but you hired a young male to replace him. He is also a good-worker. The atmosphere tend to be far better with Neha and her collegues.
Your business is still good, and you think you have made a good decision.
END.
[[Introduction]]
"It's a good idea. Indeed, we will never have this problem in the future." Said Rayan.
"I don't think it is necessary to inform Neha, it could cause some problems. But, please, try to be nice with her, as the new principle will be put in place."
They all agree with you, and just after, the meeting is finished.
Later, you inform all the employees the new condition. As predict, not all of them like the idea. With the advice of Rayan, you choose the best uniform for male and female.
------------
It's been three months since the dress code decision. Your company is still good, but not all your employees are happy.
The atmosphere between Neha and her co-workers is not better, but you still hope it will change.
END.
[[Introduction]]
Rayan nods at you and left. You send an e-mail to Neha. No more than 5 minutes later, she is sit in front of your desk.
"I talk with your co-workers Neha, and I think the problem is the way you dress. They feel you're not showing our companie's values and tradition. And for our clients, seeing your dress like that made a negative impact on us. So I would like you to change that, for the good of the company, your co-workers, and yourself."
She is quiet in shocked, but swallow back her anger.
"But, Chief, I don't feel like hurting someone dressing like that. We have to be an open-minded company, showing our customers and the others employees that we are *modern*..."
"Sorry Neha. But I'd like you to dress differently. If not, despite your abilites, we will have to take some dispositions."
She agrees, and left your office.
---------------
After some time, Neha resigned. The female employees of your company start to argue with the direction. However, your business is still good, but you're looking for a new employee.
Rayan nods at you and left. You send an e-mail to Neha and all the team to meet in the meeting room at 2:30pm.
By the time, you're working on your projects. You know it will not be a fun time for the employees, especially Neha, but it is necessary.
When the time comes, you go to the meeting room. Everyone is already here. Neha is set in the back, looking anxious. You take the floor.
"Hello again everyone. Some of us told me it would be a good idea if we meet to discuss some problems we have. Neha, I know you have some troubles to feel accepted with us. Can you tell us more?"
"Well... Yeah, but as you all know I am new here. So I think if we could take some time to know each others..."
"I am sorry Neha, but you have to know that we have a problem with the way you dress yourself. It's very provocative, and it doesn't show our customers our values: self respect, hard work."
"What are you talking about? I can dress as I want, and I don't need you to tell me how to dress! You're talking about values, but respect for others is not one of yours..."
The argument escalated quickly. You can feel Neha's anger and shocked. The guys are all shouting at her.
[[Let them arguing.|salaud]]
[[Interpose yourself.|yeaah]]
They continue to argue for a little time before Neha left the room, crying and slaming the door.
Medhi is the first one to react.
"Maybe we were too harsh on her. I don't know if this meeting was a good idea..."
"She has to understand, sorry if it was to violent for her, but I think that was the best solution. Remember: our business needs to improve."
You nod, and hesitate to go back to your office. You also can check on Neha.
[[Go to your office.|office]]
[[Go check on Neha.|Neha]]
"Okay, everyone, stop. This argument isn't going anywhere."
They all look at you. Neha seems quiet shocked, and is waiting for you reply.
It seems you have two solutions. Propose a dress code, or insist with Neha for her to change.
[[Propose a dress code.|dresscode]]
[[Insist with Neha.|Insist]]
You think Neha would be okay. She needs a little more time, but would be fine.
You get back at your work. At the end of the afternoon, you get an e-mail from the human ressources director, telling you that Neha resigned, and asking you why.
Some time later, you lean that your company doesn't have a good reputation since this incident. Women are less likely to apply for Neha's job.
However, the atmosphere with the guys is still very good.
END.
[[Introduction]]
You exit the room, trying to follow Neha. But she flees in the toilet. Maybe it's not a good time.
You inform the team that the meeting is over. You go back to your office and quickly send an e-mail to Neha, asking her to come to see you.
You feel a little bit guilty. The team was too harsh with her, and maybe you should have step in.
Some timer later, she comes to your office.
She tells you that she wants to quit the job, that she doesn't want to work in a harmful environment.
You tried to persuade her, but it do not work.
She give her resignation the same day.
Some time later, you lean that your company doesn't have a good reputation since this incident. Women are less likely to apply for Neha's job.
However, the atmosphere with the guys is still very good.
END.
[[Introduction]]
"If nobody can come with a plan, without humiliation, I can propose a dress code. There's some positive point in this, because we can later avoid this kind a problem, and it adds some principles for our company. What do you think?"
"It's a good idea. Indeed, we will never have this problem in the future. Neha, what do you think?" Said Rayan.
"I still think I can dress myself as I want... And everyone would not like it."
"We are not the first company to do that, and the others companies didn't collapse after putting a dress code..."
Neha nods, take two minutes to think about it, and finally accept.
Later, you inform all the employees the new condition. As predict, not all of them like the idea. With the advice of Rayan, you choose the best uniform for male and female.
------------
It's been three months since the dress code decision. Your company is still good, but not all your employees are happy.
END.
[[Introduction]]
"Neha you should listen to them. I think they are right... Plus, it is not a big deal. Change change your clothes for work."
"But I don't want to! This company needs to be more open-minded. And if some of our customers have a problem with this, well... too bad! I know how to work, and they are always satisfied with me. I have never receive a complaint before. If it is too much for you, well.. I can always quit the job."
"No, Neha, it's not that... But you have to understand all the wrong values we are showing..." said Rayan.
"You are the only ones here who see some bad values. I am sorry but I don't want to change for your well-being."
She stand up and left the meeting, obviously angry. The meeting is now over, and you let Neha decompress.
------------------
Three months have passed since the meeting. Neha has resigned. Some female employees tend to be more careful about their clothes, as well as some male. You are a little bit disappointed in Neha's decision, but maybe it's better like this.
END.
[[Introduction]]