Reader Cynthia writes:
For your information. After reading A Familiar Tale I emailed Gisela Graham. My email and their response follows.
To Whom It May Concern,
I read with amazement a rejection letter sent to an Israeli job applicant from Piers Croke of your company. This letter is circulating on the internet. Mr. Croke refers to himself as an “Educated European” however his highly discriminatory and unprofessional comments suggest otherwise. In the United States, your company would be subject to a serious lawsuit for this type of action. Discrimination against race, religion and country of origin. He covered the bases in this letter. Can’t imagine this being good for your business.Company Response:
Message from the General Manager
Over the past 25 years Gisela Graham Ltd. has followed an entirely open policy of employment, regardless of sex ,race, religion or sexual preference. We are fully committed to the principle of equal opportunity and strive in all our activities to maintain high ethical standards. .Currently we employ people originating from at least 18 countries covering all five continents. Most of the senior positions in the Company are occupied by women.
Mr Piers Croke has been reprimanded following improper use of Company communications and the matter has been referred to the Board for further consideration.
Miriam previously wrote:
The Israeli woman, who I have been in touch with, says she received an apology from the firm a few days later, followed by an email from Mr. Croke. Conflicting sources claim he has since been demoted, reprimanded, or fired.
I guess we now have the answer: reprimanded.
Given Gisela Graham’s purported pride in its “entirely open policy of employment”, I would have thought that Croke’s actions would be clear grounds for dismissal. After all, if he had been the perpetrator of sexual harrassment (and this was proven), I would assume that he would be fired on the spot, rather than the subject of “further consideration” by the Board.
