Macquarie analyst alleges retaliation after complaints about manager’s conduct

Macquarie Bank credit analyst Meixia ‘Leah’ Gao is suing the bank in Australia’s Federal Court, alleging it retaliated against her after she complained about her former manager, Bilal Ahmed. She says his conduct included repeated unwanted touching, personal questions and invitations to Chinese-style hotpot meals, and that subsequent treatment at work formed a pattern of victimisation.

Gao’s amended claim says she joined the credit team in 2023 and was placed on a shadowing programme in January 2024 despite meeting performance expectations. She complained to a senior manager late that month, citing unfair treatment and inappropriate conduct; the bank says there were no findings of sexual harassment and denies Ahmed’s behaviour was sexual, describing the contact and conversations as ordinary workplace interactions. The article says an internal investigation lasted two weeks, but does not provide its outcome.