Back in my legal archiving days, I worked for a "female run" office contracting company. They were some of the most misogynistic women I'd ever met.

Anyway, I was the filing goblin who worked in the bowels of the archives but I was also in and around the office a lot.

I got on with a lot of the paralegals and lawyers. One dude worked in employment law and was into the hardest, most extreme metal I'd ever heard. He also happened to be a lovely, quiet, super-vegan Muslim dude who honestly was the kindest human being I've ever met.

Okay, relevant link: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/video-calls-women-sexier-dress-employers-a9633056.html

One day I'm told that, good news! My managers have booked me into MAKEUP LESSONS because having asked me to "doll up a bit" and receiving a death stare in response they realise that I'm just too stupid to know how to paint my face!

So I go talk to my employment lawyer friend and he frowns. I've never even seen him look angry but he pauses and then, out of nowhere, starts explaining the letter he's about to write to THE CEO of my company, the relevant laws he's going to cite that they're breaking.

He actually types the letter in front of me, ranting the whole time about inequality and stuff. He doesn't send me away with it, though. He thanks me for bringing it to his attention and says I've not to worry any more.

Well, management change their tune within the week. I'm left alone. I even get an apology from some of the team leaders.

Better yet, I'm getting on with the actual clients better than ever. I end up convincing the office manager to expand the archives and employ more archivists.

Every woman needs a friendly employment lawyer. Highly recommend. 10/10

In hindsight I kind of wish I'd gone to the makeup lessons and acted EXTREMELY stupidly. Putting lipstick on my ears, etc.