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I saw recently a film about the first US class action against sexual harassment. So, given such overseas success, it is understandable that a person who feels harassed wants to have a trial.

These being said, it is up to the judge to judge this case. Since I do not know what happened there, I am not able to judge what happened there. I presume that the file from her psychoterapist counts as evidence, well, unless the psychoterapist testifies that he/she believes that she made that up.

So, until a verdict it reached upon this case, it is useless to speculate about what might have happened there and what might be her reasons to sue the company.

- Tudor Georgescu, Zwolle, The Netherlands

Hey people!!! Why all of you judge the case only on the basis of 40 mil. pounds and not on the other side which concerns her personality and her fealings. How many of you studied to reach her position or at least tried? How many of you do know about the true side of Roumania and its citizens? Very few for sure.
Let me ask these two "John Smith, London" and "Garry, LONDON" that dare to comment this article. What status do you have? Have you worked and study as she may did? Or you got your job (as many others from England) because of your father's status or corupted families that you may come from!?
Can you all "clever people"(who dare to negatively comment Mihaela's case) be for at least 1 day in her skin, or in anyone else skin, that worked and studied all the way up just to have a better life?
I do not think soo. Maybe none of you.
To leave from Roumania with a scholarship and be alone between al those "sharks" that do not think nothing else than sex and money is very difficult for a woman.
As anyone else, she has her own rights and in my opinion 40 mill. pounds are not enough. She should claim at least 1 billion punds concerning the fact that those who control the money of the company ,she worked in, have soo much money to which they maybe do not know the exact amount but they only want to have more no matter the circumstances. Good luck Mihaela!!!

- Littleblack, Romania

Good luck to her for trying to get back some compansation , it must be very hard to stand up and pursue these matters when everyone seems against you. Most people just get walked over these days and nothing happens. I hope if she does get 40million though she is responable with it and remembers where the moneys came from and remembers most get nothing.

- Mark, kidderminster

I couldn’t agree more with one of the statements that Eastern Europeans are racist and intolerant to other nationalities more than the British. A person from a third-world country working in Romania would never be even able to entertain the idea for such a claim. I’m Czech (female) and have lived in the UK for quite a long time, worked in the City for international companies as well as UK ones and I know what comments she has been subjected to but I still found her claim utterly unreasonable. This country offers endless opportunities and that is why we come here. It also has different humour and society structure. She needs to accept it or move somewhere else; I’m sure in Romania she will get the treatment she seeks

- Ketta, London, Czech origins

Mr. Gary from London, the idiots like you should be send on an island full of canibals!
Do you think that all the romanians are cleaning windows??? Or that Romania is a country full of gipsies and prostitutes? You have a huge lack of culture!
Our auditors are some of the best auditors from Europe and they are also much open minded than you obviously. We have here most of the multinational companies that you also have and most of the Romanians graduated an University or unless a college. You don't have any idea about what Eastern Europe is or how the people are living here. We don't need your rainy country and not even your fish & chips. If you want to see some true nature change some Pounds in Romanian Lei, then come and check it!

- Ioana, Bucharest, Romania

to Garry, London: you just proved her point that harrassment is more than likely, how dumb. Coming from abroad you need to be twice as clever/flexible/speak number of languages to even be given a chance to work here, so she has already proven she is a whole lot smarter than you. You cant even spell 'cleaning'!!

i am from Europe have been on the receiving end of various comments but never in PwC. there are better ways of dealing with this, as big 4 tend to take these kind of things quite seriously + most ppl here are international.

Sometimes london office tend to downgrade ppl coming from other parts of the world (except US maybe) just because the client base here is much bigger, riskier etc so experience is necessary. that may mean doing mundane tasks, trust me she is not the only one, it is an accountancy firm after all!!!

the harrassment may have happened but unless she recorded it or has witnesses it may be very difficult to prove, which might be the reason why she lost the case...

- Big4 Babe, London

"I think she means 40 million pototatoes or whatever curency they use back in Romania." <- this is what we mean by haresment, and ****y ideas towards romanians. Good luck Mihaela.


a romanian.

- Razvan, Bucharest, Romania

I would say the amount she is claiming for is unrealistic.
A point to make about the majority of the above comments having read them, disgusting most of you, regardless of where this woman came from, if she was made too feel a certain way in the workplace there should be opportunity to present this in a court of law, for a civilised city of London where most of these comments are being thrown from, I am truely shocked!

British people are making such comments like pigs.
Her greed is just as much not acceptible as your comments regarding this ridiculous mess.

- Lawrence, Liverpool United Kingdom

Questions; why so long to complain? Why no evidence to back up her claim? Why such a large amount in a credit crunch when there is NO money to give her?

I must admit, there is a lot of tension in London, been there for a number of years and while I was there everyone seemed too afriad to pass such remarks in case of being sued. And I have to admit, as a non-business person, the business world was always so hungrey, if you didn't learn to live up to this kind of abuse you were out. I'm sorry, but you'd have found the same reaction anywhere you went ma'am with a jelly spine like yours.

- Anon Lady, Southend

I recall an Irish newspaper covering a story of a corrupt Irish TD (MP) who was killed in a car crash Russia and was with a mystery 'blonde'. They immediately labelled the woman a prostitute. Turns out she was a translator and she sued them and all the other newspapers who repeated the story and she made a fortune. Good for her. Maybe this case will stop those city chauvinists from taking through their ignorant over-bonused thick heads and give credit and respect to educated women from eastern countries.

- Jessica, london

I've always thought that all Brits are a bunch of shauvinistic pigs. Turns out I am right. Thank God I live in one of the most tolerant and open-minded countries in the world.

- Darren, PG, Canada

Good grief. If she was 'harrassed in Chicago,' that would have been THE place to begin her lawsuit, not wait until she gets back to London. The fact that PwC kept her on this long shows a lack of judgment on their part.
Working as a forensic accountant (isn't that like a glorified auditor?) for ten years? She must not have been very good and maybe an internal audit of her work with clients would show that.

- Cricket, Atlanta, US

So, her hurt feelings can be bought off by an infusion of cash in large denominations, can they? What was it they are said to have accused her of?

- Rogan, Irving

Some people will do anything for money. Does that make her a prostitute?? If the cap fits, as they say

- Ray Jarvis, Marlborough, USA

?

- B Matthews, London

u must be joking

- Patel, leicester uk

If she's in any shape or form capable at her job, which it doesn't sound like she is, then join another firm. Its not like she's there under mandatory slave labour, or physically being persecuted. More of an embarrassment upon herself to let it get to this, if this is indeed true.

- Jo, United Kingdom

Is she out of her mind?

- Jo, United Kingdom

This would never have happened under the Tories.

- Cyberman, London

Demanding this ridiculous sum is not helping her case. She is not a Partner, far from it, so cannot assess her damages on a position she may never have achieved!Curious to know who's advising her legally.

- R, London

I think she means 40 million pototatoes or whatever curency they use back in Romania. Sad that Romanian who you normally see clening windows on the A40 back from London should be given such an opportunity to work at Pricewater house and she sues them

- Garry, LONDON

And there's me thinking woman wanted to be equal with men.

- Shallotman, Basildon

This is ridiculous.

- Geeta, West Drayton

Yet another example of how intolerant and narrow minded most of the UK is today. It’s easier for people to just look at one side of the story and jump to accusations and stereotyping of a person whom they have never met our even possibly studied there culture. Not everybody is the same you know. My god can you imagine, if fellow Europeans, first visiting the UK, come across our "typical unemployed youth, wearing their track suit, an aggressive dog by their side, holding there can of beer" hmmm, don’t wish to stereotype. Maybe the next time I mention to a mate about booking a holiday and they reply "ahh you don't want to go there they don't like British people, I’ll just think about the previous comments that I’d just read and announce, It’s so nice to be back home.

- John, uk

40 million?

Surely at that rate she is a creative accountant rather than a forensic one?!!

- Smb, London,UK

£40 million? Get real woman.

- Roger, Winchester, England

Oh, come on, everyone, the £49million figure is just the opening shot in a negotiation. And some of you have the nerve to suggest this woman is lacking a sense of humour...

- Lutra, London

For God's sake will city firms stop employing foreigners, especially foreign women . You know they have in imperfect knowledge of the English language, no sense of humour and are always on the lookout for reasons to take offence

- Freda Worboys, London, UK

Yet another example of bonkers Britain. Where does she get £40 million from? If she loses , who pays her costs, are here lawyers doing this on a no win no fee basis? Top marks to her for creative accounting though!

- Richard, Duke Of Leeds, City of Leeds & proud of it

EDITED by admin @ 16.50 on July 13 2009
Religious/Racial

- John, Russia

I think there are lots of gold diggers out there who will look for any opportunity to sue their establishment/ firm just to make quick buck.We have allowed this to happen in our country.Tell me any country where there is no racism and discrimination or sexual harassment?

- Surj, london

Advancing a second claim after the first one apparently failed, and for £40,000,000, suggests that the complainant has an inadequate grasp of reality. These claims are incresingly common, expensive to defend (with the cost being paid by consumers/clients) and do nothing constructive for work place relations

- Max Parker, London UK

Wow... as a Romanian I have to say, shame she didn't stay in Romania as a mediocre accountant earning £300 a month. This is what happens when you give opportunities to idiots. I don't question if she was sexually treated but I question how she is throwing everything she can to sound like a victim. The Romanian Secret Police which was disbanded in 1990... riiight, so she was a communist member when she was 11 years old. How would her colleagues even know about that considering the British and US knowledge of Eastern European countries... most think Budabest is the capital of Romania

Besides not many people will come on to you unless you gave some kind of sign. Let's be honest, if she was told she would make parteners... I think she would have taken it every which way (bad joke) anyhow... I hope she doesn't get a penny.

- Drei, London

I've found Eastern Europeans in the UK - particularly the Polish and Romanians - to be viciously colour discriminating themselves. In their circles this form of racism is not taboo, it is perfectly normal. A great contribution to UK society!

On another note women in Eastern European society are treated like trash by men.

Against this backdrop I am wondering about this claim.

- Tm, London, UK

Our poor, hard-done-by lawyers must love all the race related actions that are now a regular part of the legal system. I wonder how many millions they have raked in fighting cases on behalf of people who are simply not suited to their job and have no reasonable possibility of advancement.

- Scotty, Cambridge UK

Give her some pocket money and send her back where she came from.

- John Smith, London , England

Anil

the worst manager I ever worked for was from your country. He was even blatant about it, " bulling can work can't it" was one of his quotes. So please don't go chucking out wild generalised accusations of management shortcomings by country. I had the worst experience of my life at the hand's of your fellow countryman but I don#t say that all Sri Lankan's are appaling managers.

- Rob Roy, London

Lets all jump on the bandwagon and claim.4o million,is she sure this is enough,why not go for 75, or even 100.If true,25 000 should be more than enough.

- Dave, london

This makes me so angry! I agree with so many comments already posted. This greedy blame culture we live in is responsible for so many of this country's ills. Yes genuine bullying, sexism and racism should be stamped out but to exploit ill-informed, but lets be honest not that uncommon, workplace banter is despicable and does indeed give women a bad name. It also makes it difficult for every other woman in the workplace and those who have genuine cause to claim discrimination. This woman should be ashamed of herself.

- Mandy, London

Erm...demading £40m from a client who agrees to pay for a £40k job?- thats prostitution right there!!

- Randy, London, England

"Civilised from the uncivilised"

Civilised requires two sides of the story, not spin from a person who has already had this charge thrown out before. Even if that comment was made "so what!". high-quality people are looked after in companies FACT.

I suspect she was lucky to have a job, higher levels of management is a rough environment and they do speak like that and certainly nobody has the right to demand pay risers they are earned, I get the feeling many would have celebrated when she left, I have worked with moaners like this before they make life hell, People need to lighten up in the work place and stop seeking to exploit workmates for selfish monetary gain.

I hope it is again thrown out and she gets nothing and can then celebrate the fact she will never work in this town again. No doubt she will be contacting the RSPCA for a claim of animal abuse next Females wonder why employers avoid hiring females equal rights should not be abused this persons actions does more damage than good,

- Gary, Brentwood

Well, I'd give her one..

- Jon, London

If this fantasiste is typical of young high-flyer accountants I am no longer so surprised that the economy tanked because banks could not value their own assets properly.

- Bloke, London

Is there really any difference between an accountant and a prostitute? Both charge far too much for professional services that tend to be disappointing and fail to have a meaningful relationship with their clients.

- Richard, Welling

none of us knows whether these allegations are true: that's the point in due process. But whether or not true in this case, it is sad how many pathetic "little boys" in this string seem to imply such behaviour is acceptable. Everyone deserves the right to be treated with dignity and respect at work (as everywhere else)-that is surely what marks the civilised from the uncivilised.

- Alan, London

just waiting 4 the 1st british male 2 seek 4 such a white-collar job in romania: hire him, push his expectations, afterwards fire him.

this should be the way, ain't it so ?

- Cartesius Minimus, Erewhon

This sort of behaviour is endemic in the male-dominated, British workplace, specially in large organisations. Where there is a balance of genders, racism is common. I've experienced bullying and racism. I didn't find either pleasant or humourous.

Mihaela is right to sue. I'd ask for more and use it to keep this in the public domain. All too often, it gets buried easily.

- Anil, srilanka

Why is it that they had to give her a job here in London, after being shown the door in the Chicago office?! If her work performance is bad why can we not send her back home? Thanks Nu Labor. No wonder the UK society is bad.

- Georgie, Islington, London

Given menial tasks and earns £41,000 per annum? I would gladly take this work and would give my employer 100% loyalty for half of this renumeration.

- William, Hay~Heath UK

I don't like that mole on her face so I must say I think she only deserves 30 Mil.

- Rod, Epping, UK

Strange isn't it that these poor, sensitive souls are drawn to ruthlessly competitive businesses - recruitment, financial trading ,sales etc.A bit like lemmings to a cliff's edge. Could it be underperformance in the job that's triggering the claims. I guess the recession will bring more of them.
Incidentally, where did £40 million come from ? Hell that'll place her on the rich list as what - a victim ??? be serious.

- Paul, The Wells, Kent

Marks out of 10, I'd give one!

- Mark Russell, Poitiers, France

I wonder how many of the male population suffer the indignity of being MADE to feel like "dirty old men" whilst accidentally (?) glancing at a "girl" strutting down any high street (or indeed in the office) dressed in similar attire to a hooker? ("Lady in Red" may have set the standard)
Can they sue for the distress and loss of concentration caused by this "visually distracting pollution", I wonder?
Works both ways. "ladies"

- Darius Midwinter, London UK

So this woman didn't get promoted or make partner? I'm not surprised given that it took almost ten years for her to stand up for her principles.

I would've thought a bit of backbone is required to make partner at such a large company. So what did she expect when she just quietly endured this harrassment? That they would just suddenly bestow her with a senior job.

She should've stood up for herself, brought actions for the harrassment or quit at the very start. I have no sympathy for someone who allows this sort of thing to continue, in the vain hope of miraculously getting promoted, then brings a huge lawsuit years later when it never happens. Nothing is worth being bullied for years for.

By simply putting up with the bullying for years, she is partly responsible for what she endured. She never should've allowed it to go on for so long.

- Alex, London

Taking into account all of these type of cases that have come up over the past few years I suggest that employers are left with one option. Only employ white men with a sence of humor and thick skin. It would save a fortune in lawyers fees...

(PS please don't sue me it's only a joke...)

- Stupid White Male, London

I do sympathise with her. I worked for many years for a large accountancy firm and the only women who succeeded were those who threw off all traces of femininity.

The hierarchy is like a Christmas tree - 1000s of kids on the lower branches, like this lady, earning £40K but charged out at £1,500 a day with the minutest chance of becoming a partner.

When I saw through it I left - seems I should have asked for £40m instead.

- Nadia, London

40 Million ? Hahahahahahahahaha!

They said you'be a future partner when you were 22 ?

...my teacher said I'd be a football player or an astronaut - can I sue?

- Dixon Kipretich, Ugley, Essex

Hilarious, what planet is she on..at 31 she wants £40 million for loss of earnings, dream on, the only reason she might now suffer loss of earnings is if no other company fancies hiring her I would have thought?.

Possibly she wasn't marked for promotion to partner as she couldn't get on woth her colleagues or just wasn't good enough.

- Nat, London

THIS IS SO TYPICAL OF BRITISH BOSSES & MANAGERS ESPECIALLY. I ALSO HAD TO ENDURE IT ALL MY LIFE IN SOUTH AFRICA FROM THEM AND IN LONDON TOO!

THEY ESPECIALLY DO SO TO DARK-SKINNED PEOPLE & FOREIGNERS, THE DISABLED & TO YOUNG MALES & GAY PEOPLE TOO, EVEN THOUGH SA WAS MY OWN COUNTRY, BUT THIS IS THE BRITISH CULTURE & IF YOU DO NOT APPROVE, THEY DISMISS YOU WITH MADE UP LIES TOO!

Claudine, Limburg

- Claudine Fourie, Netherlands

To me these sound typical of the kind of childish jibes a sensitive person would run the risk of encountering in any accounting firm. But what did she expect from working in such an industry? Accountants aren't exactly renowned for being open minded, outgoing or interesting people, are they? In my experience they are mostly number crunching spotty nerds.

- Mikey, London UK

This woman should be made to pay all of the costs for bringing this action.

- Des Egan, london UK

And the thing that is most wrong and disgusting about this story? The fact that she will be probably be successful too!

- John, London, UK

Would someone kindly tell me the name of the next train station this gravy train pulls in at!
Last month a cocktail waitress this month an accountant,Im sure Im in the wrong game here.

- Mick, London

Sorry but maybe her accounting skills are responsible for her not being partner. As an accountant should she be suing for a more realistic amount, pretty sure most partners may make 10m in a lifetime leaving 30 for hurt feelings, come on.

- Alan, London

The vast majority of juniors in these big firms, even the talented ones, will never make partner. If she can't even get on with her colleagues then how on earth does she expect to get promoted, lead a team, schmooze clients and become a partner? She's clearly lost the plot.

- Ian, London

Although the financial sum sought is eye-watering, as a woman of Eastern European parentage I find her claims entirely plausible. Since the influx of Eastern European workers to this country over the last few years hostility and racism has risen considerably. The respectful comments of my childhood about the role of the Polish in the war etc etc have died away and I am now more often in receipt of casually made racist comments, often with similar sexual content, as is my British husband who has had it suggested that he bought me from a catalogue and that I'm only after a visa. I was born here. Of course people are 'only joking' and any offense is an overreaction.

- Magda, London

I have no doubt that this woman suffered discrimination however asking for £40 million is greedy. This case reminds me of that Bosnian woman who sued her employers for asking her to wear a skimpy dress when she posted a revealing picture of herself on facebook.

- Victoria, London

...are the two pro-PwC comments (ostensibly women) saying that no cause of action is obvious in what little the article says?!

- Digitalvirtue, london, uk

...are the two pro-PwC comments (ostensibly women) saying that no cause of action is obvious in what little the article says?!

- Digitalvirtue, london, uk

These cases will only cause men to keep female colleagues increasingly at arms length to avoid potential gold digging court cases, making it impossible to socialise, etc.

- Jim, London

Even if every word she says is true...£40 million!!!? Come on!

- Hb, Rochford, Essex

Poor woman! How about joining the army and getting to know what real suffering is as experienced by boys half her age and paid a fraction of her pay.

- Fred, Horsham

I hope she has some hard evidence to back up these claims as from the run down in the article most of these fall firmly into the 'he said / she said' category which are almost impossible to prove. Being given 'menial' tasks are again subject to interpretation. Anyone will tell you that you don't just walk into top jobs without having to do some line work. It does seem, yet again, that the clarion call for all money grabbers appears to be 'hurt feelings'. Did-dums

- Hansel, London

I'm an accountant and even I can't work out how she arrived at £40m!

- Decency, London, UK

"She says she was accused of only being in London to “live it up” and ... given menial tasks to perform and ignored for promotion."

...Sounds like my entire working life. Who shall I sue first?

- Kate, London

It's all about the money, make no mistake. Would she be suing her company if their industry was making sandwiches? This is of course rhetorical... sadly, there are too many out there that are not as good as they themselves think they are and if they don't get what they want, they cry wolf, but, the wolf has to have money...

- Richie Rich, London

silly woman. 41k x 30 years = just over 1,2 million ..... so she wants 38,8 million for hurt feelings?
Sorry, major sympathy failure, even from another woman.

- Marianne, SW France/London

money making opportunity?? £40 million what planet is she on - just on that basis I hope she does not win/ bearing in mind she lost one case already says a lot

She gives women a bad name and makes it difficult for those with genuine cases

- Eye, London

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