A 27-year-old British barrister (a type of lawyer in common law jurisdictions) named Charlotte Proudman is fighting back against rampant sexism on LinkedIn, after going public on Twitter with a “sexist” message she received earlier this week from a respected lawyer almost twice her age. Proudman says she feels like men treat LinkedIn like it’s Tinder, and when 57-year-old Alexander Carter-Silk messaged her to compliment her on her “stunning” profile picture, she fired back, calling his behavior “unacceptable and misogynistic.”
https://twitter.com/CRProudman/status/640934811381706752
Since speaking out, Proudman has gained the support of dozens of women on social media, who have all had similar experiences on the so-called business networking site:
@CRProudman @LinkedIn @Jessica_Asato @ObjectUpdate "you have a nice smile . . . can give me your email . . . " pic.twitter.com/sOIFxXaaH9
— JFaye (@JFayeSF) September 9, 2015
@CRProudman @LinkedIn This has happened to me 3 times in the past year alone. Unsolicited, out of the blue, completely outside my network.
— Diane E. Curtis (@DianeECurtis) September 10, 2015
@CRProudman @Jessica_Asato Glad it's not just me, not what @LinkedIn is for @ObjectUpdate @smrtgrls #callingoutsexism pic.twitter.com/IunqhrwBfv
— Holli Honnette (@Hollirosdail) September 10, 2015
https://twitter.com/jay_virdee/status/641719498106642432
@CRProudman @LinkedIn the same thing has happened to me. Its completely unnecessary & inappropriate pic.twitter.com/itEQkHk2bt
— Charl (@chareveritt18) September 10, 2015
For his part, Alexander Carter-Silk gave a statement to the RollOnFriday blog, denying any ill intentions and claiming that the whole thing was just a big misunderstanding:
Most people post pretty unprofessional pictures on Linked in, my comment was aimed at the professional quality of the presentation on linked in which was unfortunately misinterpreted.
Ms Proudman is clearly highly respected and I was pleased to receive her request to linkup and very happy to instruct her on matters which [are] relevant to her expertise that remains the position.
I believe that’s lawyer-speak mumbo jumbo for “covering your ass.” Let this be your friendly reminder that LinkedIn is not a meat market, and a smiling head shot in professional attire is not an invitation to act like a creeper.