Being a woman in a mainly male-dominated career has some problems. Often, you feel like you have to work twice as hard to get any form of recognition. However, there are many perks to it. You should be proud of the work that you do. It is hard manual labor, yet it also takes a lot of intelligence.
That being said, it is not easy to be a woman in the construction industry. Here are some tips to help!
Don’t be afraid of the men. When you are surrounded by men, it can be really intimidating. You may feel like you have to work twice as hard to even get noticed. You may feel leery of the men and their behavior on a crew. However, you shouldn’t be afraid of them. You got the job and you deserve it so act like it.
If you are in charge, don’t be afraid to take charge of the situation. Too many women feel like they can’t tell others what they need to do (even if it is their job)! It can be really intimidating to be in charge of a group of men. However, you need to be able to take charge and tell people what to do. This will help to earn your respect.
Too many women don’t try to move up the ranks. Instead, they stay in the job that they were hired for, long after the men that they started with have moved onto bigger and better jobs. Take control of your career and work hard to get noticed. Go after the promotions that you know that you deserve!
Get the training that you need and deserve. Along with not moving up the ranks, many women don’t take advantage of the training that is out there. Whether you want to improve your skills that you need with your current job or you want to move up the ranks, education is important (and essential) to ensure that you are doing everything that you can to succeed in the construction industry.
Recruit other women who would be an asset to the company. Women who work in construction are a huge asset. If you know someone who would work out well in your company, help them get started. Women really need to help other women in order to make construction jobs possible for as many women as possible, plus it will also make your life more enjoyable to have another female for company!
Fight for your rights. The construction industry is not well known for having a balance between your work and home life. Late nights and long hours can take away from the time that you should be spending with your family. Also, since the industry is filled with men, most companies don’t offer maternity leave.
Because of this, you need to fight for what you deserve. You need time off to relax and spend time with your family. You also deserve to have maternity leave, even better if you are able to get paid during that time. By fighting for what you deserve, you will be much happier in your employment.
Many women fear the men that they work with. They are afraid to tell them what to do, even if they are in charge. They don’t want to cause any drama in the workplace. However, you need to get the entire crew to respect you by standing up for yourself.
Also, make sure that you get the training that you deserve so that you can do the job to the best of your ability. This will also help you move up through the ranks. It is also important to fight for your rights. You deserve time at home to enjoy your life and maternity leave if you decide to have children.
If you feel like you have been discriminated against in the construction field, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are a consumer fraud, employment, and class action attorney.
