Greg's Departure
Eight months into my new job, I was on vacation in Greece. Blissfully unaware of anything happening on the other side of the globe, the last thing I was thinking about was anything work related. Suddenly, I received a slew of text messages from several of my colleagues:
"Greg is gone!"
"Did you hear what happened to Greg?!?!"
"Grag just got 
"
What a way to jolt me out of my trip immersion and back to my least favorite topic from work! I responded to everyone that I was on vacation, and I would follow-up with them when I was stateside. I knew that he did something horrible enough to finally get fired...but what?
When I returned to the office, I deduced what happened by stringing together individual accounts from several colleagues—including one person who witnessed what happened and had to tell their account to HR: Greg Everage sexually assaulted a female colleague at an offsite work event.
If HR took my complaints seriously, I know this person would not have been subjected to sexual assault. The warning signs were there, over and over and over again: Greg does not see women as equals. Greg intimidates women. Greg openly judges women's bodies. Greg belittles women. Greg treats female staff like his personal secretaries. Greg discriminates against women. Yet, whenever I came forward with examples and evidence of this, HR labeled me the problem...the liability.
It took four business days until the company decided to fire Greg.
During those days, he pushed his version of the truth to other colleagues, denying any wrongdoing.
On his last day, he emailed some colleagues stating that he would be leaving by choice, claiming that he wanted to spend more time with his family. Smooth move. It won't be suspicious an ounce when you get walked out later that day.
Alana, the person who took over Cindy's role, messaged me when I returned to the office:
Alana: Hi Katie
Katie: Hey there! What's up?
Alana: Wanted to let you know that Greg is no longer with the organization. Can I just tell you it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. How did you last 2 years?! That's what I always wondered
Katie: Please, let's chat tomorrow. There's much, much I've wanted to tell you--but was too afraid. Because I...tried. I really did.
Alana: Yes -- that'd be great
Katie: I'm glad you will finally get some normalcy. You deserve it.
Alana : I know. I'm definitely mixed emotions over here.
Katie: Please enjoy your evening and the peace you'll have now. Oh man...
Alana: I know... so surreal!
Where is he now?
As of 2021, he's employed at another major corporation doing who knows what. What I do know is people like this get fired from one job and jump to another, their dark history lost in a prior employer's HR folder. Toxic individuals given a chance to start anew. They masquerade as allies, publicly, and history repeats itself when the past is abandoned.
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| Sure. He challenged who and what women can be by bullying, intimidating, mocking, harassing, belittling, and assaulting them. |
