Am I a dope, sexist or both?

Dear Aunty B,

I just caught myself doing something which has shocked me because I am a feminist from way back.

When my male employees have babies I put their teddy bears on the company credit card. However, when my female employees have babies I pay for their present from my own purse. Why, you may well ask?

Well, first, I am an absolute stickler for not mixing my personal and business expenses. Second, I have unconsciously assumed that the present for the men is a work thing – men have a baby and return to work in a week. But the present for the women is a personal thing because they disappear sometimes for a year and sometimes they never come back.

I just caught myself doing that on Saturday as I handed over my credit card and wondered if I am a dope, sexist or both? Would you put the female employees’ presents on the credit card?

Honestly…

Vic

Dear Honestly,

Let’s get this straight. There you are on a Saturday when you should be lying down having your lower back massaged or at a long lunch, drinking a fine sauv blanc in order to forget this year’s P&L and instead what are you doing? Having a crisis of conscience in a teddy bear shop!

I wouldn’t call you dopey – maybe just a bit dim. Get your PA to buy the teddy bears in bulk on the company credit card, hide them in the storage cupboard and start working on next year’s strategy.

Be smart,

Your Aunty B

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