October 2000 "I WAS SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOU COULD NOT WORK OUT A PLAN REGARDING THE FEMALE SALARY SITUATION. YOU WILL RECALL THAT WHEN WE MET I SAID IF THE TWO OF YOU COULD NOT REACH AN UNDERSTANDING THEN I WOULD PLAY SOLOMON AND RESOLVE THE MATTER. I ALSO SAID NEITHER OF WOULD BE TOTALLY HAPPY WITH MY DECISION. HOW SINCE I MUST DECIDE HERE IS WHAT MY DECISION IS! (Boss name) AND (Boss name), YOU MAY PUT THE PAY INCREASE THROUGH BUT I DO NOT WANT THE PAY GRADES CHANGED. I SEE NOTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE ME TO AGREE TO A PAY GRADE CHANGE AND I AM USING (his secretary name) AS MY BENCHMARK. WHAT YOU DO FOR ONE PERSON SPREADS THROUGH OUT THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION AND WE DON"T NEED THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS. I CONSIDER THIS MATTER FINAL. The President " ==== Dear All, Help! It's months I think and think over it. The "female" question it's me! Let me introduce myself so maybe you can give me advice more easily: Italian (sorry for my English), 40, single parent growing a 13 yr old girl, 20 years experience as Executive's Assistant, I work in an Italian facility of a multinational american company, (Italian as mother language, French, German, English), accountancy diploma (5 yrs school, in Italy), European Computer Driving Licence (it involves being PC literate, see "www.ecld.com), I just started a 3 year university course in a brand new thing called "psycho-informatic" (don't ask me more: 1st lesson next Monday!). Well, in my company there were two Executive Assistants having a higher level than me: one is just retired and the second is targeted to resign due to family reasons. So, it seems I am definitely frozen, don't you think? I feel the President's decision weighing tons over me, over my commitment, over my "being". I know it is unfair. I feel deeply embittered. On this side, it seems to me I have absolutely no chances. I write to ask you if, from outside, you deem it same way. I seek counseling: need to invest further in this company? On the other hand, I am willing to start this new challenging task: increase my knowledge by attending university. Then, for sure, I can exploit new capabilities in new scenarios. Thank you to all, I feel among friends with Fastcompany.

-- Cristina Zandonai (crizando2@virgilio.it), October 10, 2001