Do you “haze” the female intern? A Medium Poll… (hint: yes, haze)
An old classmate of mine came to visit me from NYC for the weekend. He’s newly promoted at a large bank, let’s call them K.P. Corgan. And he’s a super nice guy, not threatening, or crude, or intimidating. The issue came up of making a big push to hire as many female traders as possible. Even if a male candidate may be more qualified, it was implicitly understood that the job offer should be given to a female candidate.
This raises the question of discrimination. Should the best man, woman, or person be hired for the job at all times? Should fresh faces and future generations be punished for the status quo that they did not create?
Even if a male candidate may be more qualified, it was understood that the job offer should, while not stated aloud, be given to a female candidate.
Fast forward: the female is hired and begins working on my friend’s trading desk at K.P. Corgan. In the past, in a ritual as old as time, the newer “recruits” were generally given the grunt work. Why? Initiation. Rite of passage. Allegiance. Sacrifice to join an elite group. These tactics have worked in various capacities to foster brotherhood, from fraternities to religious organizations. (And I say brotherhood applying to men and women.)
Today, the initiation ritual on the K.P. Corgan desk traditionally consists of the new hires performing some grunt work in addition to their other slated responsibilities. Nothing terrible — getting morning coffee for the team, picking up dry cleaning, running to get everyone lunch — but the thing is, suddenly, everyone feels awkward about it. It’s not just men ordering other men around anymore.
Do you treat the lone female “normally” and “fair” which would mean, well, doing the grunt work to earn initiation into this elite group of financial testosterone?
So, what do you do? Do you treat the lone female “normally” and “fair”? Which would mean doing the grunt work to earn initiation into this elite group of traders? Or, do you keep everything “above the board”? Stick to the job responsibilities for fear of being accused of sexual discrimination by treating someone “fairly”?
As a female who has worked in several large corporations, I will share my opinion. I want the same treatment as my male counterparts. Really. I want to be hazed. You know what I do not want? I do not want to be treated differently. I do not want to be excluded. I don’t want to not be invited to the golf outing, or the gun range, or I don’t know… the strip club? Well, ok, I’m not sure about that last one! But it all starts with getting the coffee. If I’m not tasked with getting the coffee you’re singling me out. I’m different. I’m not really “one of the guys.” Or worse, I am singled out as a target of unwanted affection or objectification. But that’s for another article.
I want to be treated the same as my male counterparts. Really. I want to be hazed.
What do you think Medium?! What would you do if you were on that trading desk at K.P. Corgan? Or if you were the female new hire?
