The Linus Tech Tips abuse allegations are yet another reminder that something absolutely needs to be done about the rampant sexism in the tech industry. If you haven’t heard them yet you can read about them here, but be warned, there is some potentially very triggering abuse and self harm detailed: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1691693740254228741.html
Madison’s story is not unique - we have heard stories like hers time and time again. As a tech professional it makes me sick to share an industry with these horrible people, and to know that little is being done to reign them in.
So, what can be done about this? I don’t have all of the answers, but one thing that comes to mind is that HR departments desperately need actual unbiased oversight, perhaps even from a governing body outside of the company. It has become common knowledge that HR’s primary purpose is to protect the company, and this prevents employees from speaking out and driving internal change even in terrible situations like Madison Reeve and countless others have faced. The way things are run clearly needs to fundamentally change
Let me know in the comments if you have any ideas on how we as a tech community might be able to address these issues, I am truly at a loss. All I want is for tech to be a safe space for everybody to find their passion and success, and it saddens me that we clearly aren’t there yet.
The only way to change culture is by example. Stand up to this behaviour when you see it perpetrated against your coworkers, especially if you’re male. Double especially if you’re in a position of power.
If you run a company, don’t overwork and abuse your employees, and make it safe for them to report these things (hint: this is not achieved by saying the words “this is a safe space”), then really deal with them.
Agree with the other commenter that unions are necessary, but you can’t solve cultural problems with regulation alone. All workers should be represented for lots of reasons, and this is one of them, but to collectively be better we have to individually and collectively model decent behaviour.
The only way to fix culture is to fire people who suck. Forcing people to take shitty “edib” training is useless, but lets companies feel like they’re addressing the problem.
If you needed to be told to treat women with respect you’re not going to learn how to in a 15 minute training video.
I agree with everything but your first paragraph hits the nail on the head! I wanna print it out and frame it. Place it in every office. It may feel awkward and scary, but it is so much more awkward and scary for the recipient(s) of the behavior and speaking up has a lot more risk for them than it would from a third party. It could be a simple “not cool/that’s too far” type comment with a chuckle. Fuck it just try something.
Well said.