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One Of Two Engineers In A Male-Led Company Refuses To Be Trotted Out As The 'Token' For Diversity

"Especially because they wanted the unique perspective until they realized that unique perspective isn't their perspective."

One Of Two Engineers In A Male-Led Company Refuses To Be Trotted Out As The 'Token' For Diversity

One engineer says her company loves the idea of diversity more than the reality of treating women fairly. She is one of only two engineers in a male-led workplace, yet management keeps pulling her into recruiting events like she is part of the display.

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That tension came to a head during a college recruiting visit, when a prospective applicant asked about the company’s culture and OP answered honestly. The manager did not like what he heard, and the fallout quickly moved from the event floor to HR.

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Now OP is waiting to see what happens next, and the whole situation has turned into a messy question of image, honesty, and who gets used as the face of the company.

This is the post where OP shared her dilemma

This is the post where OP shared her dilemmatokengirlengineer
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Right off the bat, it was obvious that the company doesn’t truly value OP’s skills as much as they value using her as a representative for events.

Right off the bat, it was obvious that the company doesn’t truly value OP’s skills as much as they value using her as a representative for events.tokengirlengineer
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At the local college where they were conducting the recruiting, a woman was curious about the company's actual diversity, which OP knew was not as advertised.

At the local college where they were conducting the recruiting, a woman was curious about the company's actual diversity, which OP knew was not as advertised.tokengirlengineer

OP explained honestly based on her experiences while the woman and a small group listened.

OP explained honestly based on her experiences while the woman and a small group listened.tokengirlengineer

The manager did not appreciate OP’s candidness and asked her to leave. They informed her that she would meet with HR and the manager the following day.

The manager did not appreciate OP’s candidness and asked her to leave. They informed her that she would meet with HR and the manager the following day.tokengirlengineer

OP has a couple of ideas about why they might be upset with her, even though she never wanted to participate in the first place.

OP has a couple of ideas about why they might be upset with her, even though she never wanted to participate in the first place.tokengirlengineer

They might also view OP as a hindrance to their future plans.

They might also view OP as a hindrance to their future plans.tokengirlengineer

OP provided an update when she was given permission to record the meeting, and they confirmed that her understanding of the job they wanted her to do was correct.

OP provided an update when she was given permission to record the meeting, and they confirmed that her understanding of the job they wanted her to do was correct.tokengirlengineer

She pointed out that there is another term people use to describe the role they assign her to help boost the company's image of diversity, which is 'Token.'

She pointed out that there is another term people use to describe the role they assign her to help boost the company's image of diversity, which is 'Token.'tokengirlengineer

OP laid down the facts.

OP laid down the facts.tokengirlengineer

OP is also performing the duties of other recruiters, and she was simply trying to identify who truly fits the job.

OP is also performing the duties of other recruiters, and she was simply trying to identify who truly fits the job.tokengirlengineer

OP countered their points with her own and explained that there might be someone genuinely interested in the position.

OP countered their points with her own and explained that there might be someone genuinely interested in the position.tokengirlengineer

It’s also like the sales manager stuck between sharing work trip perks and a colleague’s demands.

They became frustrated with OP and presented many contradictory perspectives.

They became frustrated with OP and presented many contradictory perspectives.tokengirlengineer

This only fueled OP's confusion about what they actually want from her.

This only fueled OP's confusion about what they actually want from her.tokengirlengineer

It became increasingly confusing as the meeting progressed.

It became increasingly confusing as the meeting progressed.tokengirlengineer

It seems the company doesn't have a good track record when it comes to employing women.

It seems the company doesn't have a good track record when it comes to employing women.tokengirlengineer

They told OP what they expected of her, but it does not reflect what they have her doing.

They told OP what they expected of her, but it does not reflect what they have her doing.tokengirlengineer

The future of OP in the company is uncertain, but she is not overly concerned if they decide to remove her.

The future of OP in the company is uncertain, but she is not overly concerned if they decide to remove her.tokengirlengineer

OP provided her actual job title.

OP provided her actual job title.tokengirlengineer

Since OP is unsure about what will happen next, someone advised her to consult a lawyer.

Since OP is unsure about what will happen next, someone advised her to consult a lawyer.DerangedUnicorn27

They are upset with OP because her honesty shattered the image they are trying to project.

They are upset with OP because her honesty shattered the image they are trying to project.nikokazini

The gap between the times she was forced to participate in such events and the times her male colleagues were involved is significant.

The gap between the times she was forced to participate in such events and the times her male colleagues were involved is significant.tokengirlengineer

They attempted to justify their decision.

They attempted to justify their decision.tokengirlengineer

The explanation confirmed what she suspected about being their token.

The explanation confirmed what she suspected about being their token.tokengirlengineer

End of comment.

End of comment.tokengirlengineer

Someone who has been considered a token shared her insights.

Someone who has been considered a token shared her insights.annshine

OP could approach it this way so they could reflect on their statements.

OP could approach it this way so they could reflect on their statements.annshine

OP might gain leverage if she plays her cards right.

OP might gain leverage if she plays her cards right.annshine

Redditors agree with the plan.

Redditors agree with the plan.SnooMacarons5460

If they want to include OP in other recruiting events, she should be compensated.

If they want to include OP in other recruiting events, she should be compensated.Both_Pound6814

It would be insulting to those considered tokens when they are clearly qualified for the job. They are often forced to wear multiple hats, even when they are pressed to perform their primary duties at the same pace as others.

Some people might be able to handle that, but someone who is pushed into the role unwillingly, without prior communication, is a different story. OP's experience might inspire those in similar situations.

For more tension over who gets to decide your time, read the AITA case where a woman skipped her mother-in-law’s reunion for her job.

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