Ex-Credit Agricole Intern Loses Suit Alleging Boss's Misogyny

(Bloomberg) -- A former Credit Agricole intern lost her lawsuit against the bank that alleged a male-dominated working atmosphere -- which she said included pornography and animal noises -- was “offensive and degrading.”

Nadia Moukaideche sued the bank for sexual discrimination, saying at a November hearing that the misogyny of her boss, Hemal Mistry, was “flagrant” and that colleagues had “open conversations about drugs and prostitutes.” Moukaideche, an intern analyst for the bank in London between December 2014 and November 2016, called the working environment “simply unbearable for any woman.”

A spokeswoman for Credit Agricole said Wednesday that London's employment tribunal had “dismissed in their entirety Ms. Moukaideche's claims as the bank was found not to have unlawfully discriminated against, harassed or victimised her.” She said the bank had no further comment.

Allegations of sexual harassment have received more attention since a series of high-profile cases emerged last year, such as those involving allegations about film producer Harvey Weinstein and actor Kevin Spacey. Winnings at tribunals are capped at about 80,000 pounds ($108,200) unless claimants can prove they were victims of discrimination or were punished for disclosing corporate misconduct.

‘Negative Judgment'

The court confirmed that a judgment had been made on Wednesday but could not provide further details.

Moukaideche said she was disappointed by the decision.

“A negative judgment is not only a personal disappointment but also shows the difficulty for women to report such actions,” she said in a written statement.

“The objectification of women and recurring acts of harassment are seen as perfectly acceptable harmless jokes,” she said, which is “both alarming and truly saddening.”

At the time of the November hearing, the bank denied the specific allegations of harassment and misogyny but did find there was general inappropriate workplace behavior after an internal probe. Mistry said in court that "jokes were made about women but they didn't objectify women, we also joked about sport."

Moukaideche said in her witness statement for the November hearing that her manager encouraged “a variety of disgusting and childish behaviors such as animal noises, burps, passing of wind and ball games.” Colleagues would sometimes show each other pornographic images at the desk, she said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kaye Wiggins in London at kwiggins4@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Anthony Aarons at aaarons@bloomberg.net, Christopher Elser, Paul Armstrong

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