I exposed Richard Scudamore's sexist emails. It was the right thing to do
|
Version 0 of 1. As soon as I read the sexist emails from Richard Scudamore I knew my position as his PA was untenable. I couldn't face him. The point is that the Premier League chief executive had used his work account – the same email inbox that appeared on my computer that I look at as part of my job. He felt comfortable sending those messages, which included vulgar and sexist conversations about female colleagues, and he didn't censor his language even though he knew I'd see them. It came as a complete shock and afterwards I felt humiliated and belittled. I've never felt that way in the workplace before. I wanted to talk to the HR department but felt that if I did it would be covered up. I was on a contract and thought that they'd probably just get rid of me. So it wasn't until a few months later, after I started working somewhere else and got my confidence back, that I did something about it. My mum always taught me to speak up for what I believe in. I knew that I had to do the right thing and expose what I had discovered. I've been disappointed by some of the public reaction. I've tried to steer clear of social media since the story broke, but a lot of people seem to think it's a trivial matter. Their tone has been, "What's wrong with her, it's a sexist joke, get over it." I believe Scudamore's emails are very different from men having a laugh at the pub. I've heard those type of conversations but it's completely different when it takes place in the office. I had no choice but to see those emails as part of my job. In a pub you can walk away. It goes without saying that I've been deeply disappointed by the reaction of the Premier League, which on Monday chose to take no action against Scudamore. It feels like there's been a real injustice, that they're not taking any notice of what he did. But another side of me isn't surprised. The committee is made up of men only, and many are friends of Scudamore who have known him a long time. The fact that an issue of women suffering sexism is being decided by an all-male panel speaks volumes. I'm not saying I want him to resign. But I would say he should apologise properly, with a genuine acknowledgement that what he did was wrong – I expect that, at the very least. Though Scudamore operates in a predominantly male sport, in his role he's supposed to be promoting women's football. Working with women is part of his job. But we mustn't think this is just a story about football. When one of my new colleagues saw the article in the paper she told me: "I suffered similar behaviour from a boss at my old workplace, so I left." I now realise there must be so many women who have gone through that kind of experience in all types of workplaces, and continue to endure it, without speaking up because they're afraid. Some who are made to feel uncomfortable and have to leave, and others who suffer in silence because they're scared of losing their jobs. In both cases the underlying problem will remain unsolved. In all businesses women have to work really hard to get to senior positions. So to have someone with Scudamore's attitudes leading an organisation, and then for that organisation to back him 100%, is a kick in the teeth for all women. I hope there's someone in power who can persuade the Premier League to reconsider their decision. It's great that the sports minister, Helen Grant, and Moya Dodd who sits on a Fifa committee, have backed me. And for David Cameron to take time out to comment on the revelations shows that he cares about the issue, and understands it's not acceptable. I've had no support from anyone inside the Football Association or the Premier League. No one from either organisation has contacted me directly. All they've done is threaten me with legal action over a possible breach of trust. A rigorous inquiry would surely have asked me for my experiences, thoughts and insights. I would like to sue Scudamore, and the Premier League, for the distress they've caused me, both over having to read the emails, and they way they handled the situation once the contents became public. Though I would like to think that the publicity over Scudamore will have a knock-on effect on other workplaces, and make sexist bosses think twice about their language and attitudes to women, I also fear that maybe the Premier League's decision will send out another signal entirely and bosses will think: "If Richard Scudamore can get away with it, so could I." Even now, I'm nervous about what will happen; but no matter how things pan out, I'm glad I did the right thing. I've no regrets that I took my mother's advice. |