Women in banking offer words of support to Lorna Hajdini at JPMorgan
Lorna Hajdini, the JPMorgan executive director at the centre of a storm over now retracted allegations that she sexually harassed a colleague, is thought to have gone on leave. JPMorgan isn't commenting, except to say that it thoroughly investigated all the claims, which appeared unfounded and that the claimant refused to cooperate with its investigation. Hajdini's lawyer told the New York Post that she "categorically denies the allegations."
As Hajdini deals with the furore over the improbable allegations against her, senior women in banking around the world are coming forward to offer support.
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Speaking off the record, one senior female trader said she knows no one who believes the claims and that her accuser has come out of this looking like a "weird psycho."
His lawyer didn't respond to multiple requests to comment.
Another senior female banker said Hajdini should know that women in banking are with her. "This is horrific and we are all here to support you and stand beside you," she said. "Know that there is an army of women out there and that the truth will prevail," she added. "Don't let yourself be pushed into the shadows. Don't forget the career you have built."
Another senior woman advised Hajdini to stay away from social media for a few weeks. "Go dark to get through this," she said. "Gather your strength. Then come back."
Hard as it is, she said Hajdini needs to take no prisoners as she clears her name. "Women can be uncomfortable with this but you need to be very legally aggressive," she advised Hajdini. "Make sure you understand all your legal options and be as aggressive as you need to be."
Unconfirmed reports on social media suggest that Hajdini's accuser asked a legal chatbot about his allegations months ago, but described working for Morgan Stanley and said his boss was male. His lawyer did not respond to a separate request to comment on this.
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