Meanwhile, what is going on at McKinsey? First we hear that it has taken the progressive step of specifically targeting gay and lesbian staff with a series of recruiting dinners (sounds like a good dating opportunity).
Then we hear is that it’s vigorously contesting a massive sexual harassment suit in the US by one Suzanne Porter, who claims she was palmed off with girlie assignments in children’s hospitals and nursing homes, and turned down as a partner because she was married with kids. She also claims that her husband was forced to leave McKinsey when he supported her case, and she often received unwelcome sexual advances from partners. The case, written up in Business Week, offers an insight into American business writing. Apparently McKinsey is a “white shoe firm”, or alternatively the “tony consulting firm whose alums include … chieftains of corporate heavyweights”. Two countries, divided by a common language.