CBI crisis grows as worker says she suffered from verbal abuse campaign

CBI head Tony Dunker (left) is accused of sending unsolicited messages to an employee. Photo: Rory Arnold/No10 Downing Street

A woman who spoke to the Telegraph claimed that a male colleague once told her that «everyone should be bullied at least once in their life.»

At the time, a female CBI employee raised allegations of bullying with her manager, who she said supported her. However, she decided not to take the complaint to Human Resources for fear that she lacked concrete evidence, which she now regrets.

The woman said, «Maybe if I had acted it would have stopped the unwanted attention and I would still have a job.»

CBI hired the city's law firm Fox Williams to conduct an independent investigation. in the alleged victims' claims.

He is also investigating separate allegations of misconduct against CEO Tony Dunker, who stepped down pending the outcome of the investigation.

Mr Dunker, who is accused of sending unsolicited messages to an employee, apologized for causing «insult or concern to any colleague», saying it was «completely unintentional».

Last week it was serious blow. To the lobbying group, ministers and officials in both the Treasury and the Department of Business and Trade have said they will stop meeting with the CBI while it investigates the allegations.

Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, pulled out of the organization's flagship annual dinner on Tuesday, prompting him to cancel the event. A number of high-profile companies are also known to be reviewing their membership.

Mr. Bailey has canceled his appearance at the CBI Annual Flagship Dinner Photo: Holly Adams/Bloomberg

Other charges being considered by Fox Williams include a former CBI board member who allegedly touched an employee's buttocks and made sexual remarks to another woman within earshot of colleagues.

< p>The board member who made the remark apologized and said he did not mean to offend, according to the Guardian, but made a similar remark to another woman a few months later. A board member is said to have denied touching the buttocks of a female employee.

Despite claims about its culture, the lobbying group is openly committed to equality in the workplace, and Mr Dunker last month urged businesses to adopt progressive values.

Matthew Fell, head of CBI policy, has taken over as interim CEO, while Mr Dunker stands aside and has been known to brief staff in recent weeks.

A CBI spokesperson said: “It is deeply regrettable and totally unacceptable that any employee feels unwell or unsafe.”

seriousness. We encourage those who wish to raise issues of this nature to report them to an independent investigation.”