Question

You’re a bright, female investment analyst about to give a major presentation to a group of bankers supporting a corporate acquisition. After walking in and meeting the bankers before you give the presentation, you’re asked by your boss to "be a dear and serve them coffee." Imagine the insult and awkwardness of such a situation—what do you do? Do you carry through with the task, sacrificing your dignity or doing something wrong because you can’t afford to lose the job? Or do you speak up?

Answer 1

Explanation:

In this case, the ideal is to reject a task that is not mandatory in your contract. The boss's attitude in this situation was somewhat sexist, as it reduced the professional skills of a female investment analyst to having to be liked and serving coffee to bankers, since the professional was there to make a great professional presentation.

These unprofessional attitudes can be combated with an assertive attitude, without the professional feeling cornered by the possibility of suffering reprisals, but it is by maintaining an ethical, professional attitude and imposing respect, that it is possible for such unethical acts to be combated and not accepted any more. formal work environment.