...thought about it you are right. But after my meeting today I know that will be a cynical move to keep me, rather than expression of a real belief that things need to change. It would be a pat on my head. Not real. I actually like my MD very much on a personal level. I understand him, does not mean I have to accept him

I left a job once and within about six months I took every good person working there with me. I put that place out of business. One of the high points of my career.

MD may try to trash you in your field. I would document everything!!! And find a job before leaving. Much safer and then you can proceed with your plan. There may be rules and signed agreements about taking staff. When I left a business that was in my contract.

Some companies produce anti-competition clauses that are buried in contracts and prevent you from working for a competitor for a certain period of time. I’ve been through this nonsense, and my attorney basically said that I could fight it because most courts refuse to uphold terms that prevent you from gaining employment, but it would take lots of time and lots of dollars to do so. I passed and took a job with a company that was in the same field but not a direct competitor.

Just be aware that some of us males really do 'get it'. I had a job where I was the head of IT. While I didn't have a high falutin' title, it was still recognized that I was a pretty important cog in the machine since I was the only person who understood our new computer. I had one female employee who not only was an excellent member of the team, but was also extremely attractive.

I became aware that a male employee from another dept was in the habit of waylaying her in a corridor and getting way to close and basically being a jerk. I asked her about it and she told me that 'it was just something she had learned she had to put up with'.

LIKE BLOODY HELL!

I went to the HR Director and told him what was going on and that I expected it to stop immediately. The HR Director was one of the good guys who immediately called the jerk into his office and told him that a) he was going a training class on harassment, b) one more complaint about him would result in his being terminated, and c) there would be a note placed in his personnel file regarding the conversation they were having!

Strangely, said jerk decided that it might be a good time to go look for a new job.

People should be a lot more willing to leave jobs over such things.

On a related note, I just picked up my computer from Best Buy after a repair. The DVD player decided it was bored or hungry or just didn't like my taste in movies, so it ate a DVD. It took a female employee to figure out how to open the tower and get the old player out so they could install the new one. Just saying. I pointed out to the guy who told me the story, that's why they need to hire more women.

I'm getting too old for this shit!

That was 1987. I used to have high hopes for the boomers.

Sell outs and tRump voters! I am disgusted.

Fuck 'em. Go back and get your team. I doubt you'll have to do much active "poaching"...something tells me that they'll be champing at the bit to join you.

If I can boast on my late husband for a minute here, I can honestly say it sounds like you two would have made an unbeatable team. He was never more successful than he was when he worked exclusively with women. Probably because he was never driven by his ego...never spoke down to them, or made them feel "less than".
Congratulations!

Wow, I am so sorry you have to deal with these Neanderthals.