Someone I respect at work today said something that really took me aback, he said 'I don't know why women join the industry (construction) if they can't take the banter, they know they're gonna get it's a man's place of work, I don't mind if they are up for a joke' fuming! 1 of ?
Originally posted on twitter by Fiona Connor @WorkingFiiOut
Fiona Connor @WorkingFiiOut
Maybe it's because we actually f'kin like our jobs, find our career rewarding and would like not to be harassed by idiots like you that have nothing more interesting to say that 'oh, see Fiona does really like to eat sausage' (whilst I was trying to have my breakfast). 2 of 2
Lorna Carter @Lorna_Const_Law
Lots still to be done in the industry
1 reply .0 retweets1 likeReply 1 Retweet Like 1 Direct message
Fiona Connor @WorkingFiiOut
There certainly is, I think it takes a bit of a reality check, to make you snap out of it being accepted as the norm. Usually it's only the really sexist shit that makes me rage. Ie. 'your head would look better on a pillow love'
Lorna Carter @Lorna_Const_Law
Yep. Not easy.
Fiona Connor @WorkingFiiOut
I don't know, I'm not that fussy about 'banter' on site tend to let it wash over me, creating an atmosphere where people can speak openly on site. None of it offends me, and when my line is crossed I'll be sure to make it known. But...
Fiona Connor @WorkingFiiOut
But now I feel perhaps I've been slack on calling it up, and perhaps other women have been made to feel the ones with a problem which certainly isn't the case. I hadn't realised they felt women didn't have a place in their 'mans world' unless they played by their rules.
Fleur Loveridge @SubterraFleur
I've felt like this before. Got a sense of humour & prepared to laugh. But 1) it's not always funny, 2) not our job to spend all day calling it out. There is still a big culture change required in construction. We can be part of that change. But not our sole responsibility.
Natasha Collins @natashaccollins
Calling it out is hard. If you feel you can at some stage you could have a convo with them and ask why they feel like that when the industry needs men and women for it to succeed. Gargh it’s infuriating!!
Fiona Connor @WorkingFiiOut
It's not like they don't work with women daily 3 of my fellow colleagues are female too! Its almost as if they view us as guests, only permitted to share their industry at their acceptance, as long as we play by their rules & endure their 'banter'. #equalrighttoworkinconstruction
Julie Harrison @Jharrison22
I'm trying to encourage girls to choose careers in the industry. It's shocking that this is still going on.
Jacqueline Dixon-Daley @jacksietweet
Still going on Julie - just yesterday the office dishwasher broke down and one of the ‘professional’ guys said ‘don’t worry, let the girls do it - it’s women’s work any way’..... needless to say I called him in it - but guess who’s made to feel bad?
Claire Truman @Twit_tru
In other words 'put up or shut up' - totally unacceptable but sadly illustrates an ingrained culture that is becoming defensive rather than progressive - as we know this attitude costs lives and damages mental health in men, quite apart from the #equality issue...
Ross Woodward @Rossyjedu
Disappointing (but sadly unsurprising) to read this. Where is the #leadership calling out this completely inappropriate behaviour/attitude and championing an #inclusive workplace for all. It’s attitudes like this that keep typically “male” industries decades behind others
Emma Martin MRICS @EmmaM_Arcadian
That’s horrendous.. and should not be tolerated in any place of work no matter the industry
Al Benn @Muz6Kat May 22
Interesting... I have had similar said to me. It is as if the banter is a badge of honour within male dominated industries. And if you don't want to "play" you are seen as somehow less...
Beth Williams @BethWilliamsSE
Well that is a huge Fing yikes from me dawg
Helen Rogers @stonestair
Wow. Just wow.
Natasha Collins @natashaccollins
Wow wow wow. At a time when we are looking at getting equality in the industry what a comment?! We need to publish these comments somewhere ‘overheard in the office’ and then all the reasons underneath why its actually an inclusive industry.
Arlene Decker @LandscapeSlayer
@EverydaySexism is a good place to start. They've been documenting this type of low level harassment we have to endure for years
David Sandbrook @DJSandbrook
That should read “someone I used to respect” - following that unacceptably comment.
Fiona Connor @WorkingFiiOut
Agreed, I suppose, although doesn't change their knowledgeability or skill still have respect for that, I will just certainly view them with different regard as a person going forward.
Carine @CarineGuenand
How would this guy feel if his daughter joined the industry and was made to feel that way? As others said, if this kind of behaviour is tolerated, it’s not a great place to work.
Fiona Connor @WorkingFiiOut
He told me his advice to his daughter was to 'sleep her way to the top'.
Joanna Farnsworth @mrsfqs
Have you stepped back in time? What happened to respect for all? We rise above it
Julian Phatarfod @jrphatarfod
FUMING
Lynsey Brydson @lynseybrydson
This is awful, while I do believe the industry is changing for the better comments like this show we have a long way to go in some areas.
Fiona Connor @WorkingFiiOut
Certainly not despondent, change is happening but awareness is important of change that still needs to happen/the reality of life on site. :)
Lynsey Brydson @lynseybrydson
Absolutely agree, things like this need to be highlighted, I certainly have had similar comments too.
Chicken Without a Head @BarbaraGoffioul May 22MoreReplying to @WorkingFiiOut
Oh god
Chicken Without a Head @BarbaraGoffioul May 22MoreReplying to @WorkingFiiOut
Oh god
Bjanka Korb @Optimiser_Bee
It infuriates me that this mindset is pervasive in 2019; but I still have hope that it will continue slowly changing.