Workplace scandals often hit women harder than they hit men, and this truism pervades both public and private sector employment. In recent news, former CIA director and retired military officer David Petraeus was under consideration for a place in the Trump cabinet, despite his involvement in a security breach scandal.

Petraeus’s 2012 scandal national secrets that Petraeus passed to Paula Broadwell, a Harvard and West Point educated military reservist who was ghost-writing a biography of Petraeus – and was his secret lover. According to the Washington Post, Petraeus passed notebooks to Broadwell that included:

• Code words for secret intelligence programs,
• Identities of covert officers,
• War strategy
• Deliberative discussions with the National Security Council

An FBI investigation uncovered the security breaches, and Petraeus resigned as CIA director as a result. Petraeus admitted his actions were deliberate and not committed by mistake, accident, or oversight. Nevertheless, Petraeus was charged with a misdemeanor, given probation instead of jail time, and fined.

In the aftermath, Petraeus seems to have recovered professionally, at least enough to be considered for a Secretary of State. Not so much for Broadwell.

Though well educated and highly qualified, Broadwell was unable to find work post-scandal.  A military recruiter told Broadwell that she should not seek employment at certain places, including a prominent bank.

While Petraeus and Broadwell are not competing for the same job, it is certainly worth noting how their professional lives are differently affected by the same scandal. Whereas Petraeus was the perpetrator of a serious breach of national security and Broadwell was an unintentional witness, he is considered qualified for a job that requires the highest security clearance in the nation, and she can’t get a job at a bank.

Some would argue that this reflects a “who you know” political attitude.  Others would question whether gender discrimination is at work.  Or perhaps the answer is a little of both.

If you believe you are the victim of workplace discrimination or retaliation, including whistleblowing, you should call an experienced employment law attorney to help you with your challenge.  At the Central Jersey law offices of Hanan M. Isaacs, P.C., located in Kingston, NJ, we will fight for you. Call us at 609-683-7400 or contact us to schedule a reduced fee initial consultation.  We will listen to your facts, explain the law, and help you develop a pathway to social and economic justice that is just right for you.  Call now.  You will be glad you did.