Many are clamouring for ETC chief executive officer Philip Rizzo’s resignation because the “brains, boobs and balls” comment he made on Facebook with respect to one of his (female) heads of department is anti-feminist. Read the story here.
I disagree.
Mr Rizzo should certainly resign, but not because of any feminist issues, or because his comment was incredibly patronising and disrespectful towards the entire female gender. It was both, of course, but I am only too well aware that such lacking on behalf of a high-ranking public official is not automatically considered reasons for resignation. Let’s face it, in Malta proven corruption is barely considered reason for resignation, let alone not respecting something ‘trivial’ like gender equality.
No, Mr Rizzo should resign for the simple reason that his actions have proven him to be unfit for purpose, revealing a lack of judgement that does not sit well with an office of that calibre.
He has shown a lack of understanding of basic social media etiquette, by posting comments that are unacceptable in a public forum, no matter who writes them.
He has shown a complete lack of understanding of the ethics required by his office, by using social media in a manner that is more reminiscent of a 12-year-old than a mature public officer.
He has shown an even worse lack of understanding of the principles his very office seeks to protect – a discrimination-free working environment, where being female or male is irrelevant, really.
He has shown an inability to grasp basic manager/subordinate relations by addressing an employee in an overly-familiar fashion, possibly placing her in a vulnerable (or, at the very least, awkward) position. This, from someone who is supposed to be ensuring that these things do not happen.
He has shown that he has no idea of the responsibilities his office brings with it and does not seem to understand exactly why everyone is making a fuss. His apology only came today, too long after the incident itself happened. This in itself doesn’t inspire in me any faith that another embarrassing incident won’t happen again in the future.
In short, Mr Rizzo actually managed to work against everything that the public body he represents stands for. Given the circumstances, holding on to the post is nothing short of farcical.