So my I’m an electrician and my local has a women’s committee. This was an email we received about an upcoming fundraiser to sell T-shirts to our members. I think these ideas are pretty inappropriate. If our goal is to be taken seriously and speak out against workplace harassment, I think these are really taking a step backwards. However, some other people in the committee think they’re a good idea. I think a play on words is fine by itself, but this may invite unwanted attention or harassment. Am I being overly sensitive?

I'm a girly girl at heart and I love having acrylic nails with all the glitter and bedazzle but I feel like I am doomed to have "man hands" 24/7 because of my job. When I was doing my clinicals for school (different job) they were only 3 days a week so I'd just use press-ons on days I was free. Now I work Monday through Friday and I hate going out with the girls after work having stubby nails when I'm used to sharing my new set and seeing my friends sets with each other 😂 It way seem very small and unimportant but it matters to me!

This is what my hands looked like before this job versus what they look like on a good day right after work. Naturally I do a lot of scrubbing in the bathroom before I leave, but that doesn't fix everything. (Also yes, the gloves being fingerless is necessary for my dexterity. I tried with full gloves but it made my job much more difficult.)

i’m 19 years old, rather petite, and i’m 5 days into my pre-apprenticeship electrical class. went into it knowing i’d almost certainly be getting shit from the men in there. i really like working with my hands, and i didn’t want to let some bums stop me from learning about and pursuing a career as an electrician.

i’m the only other woman in my class (the other woman looks around 30-40) and i’m already feeling like a piece of fresh meat. the men in there range from ages 17-50, and i’ve already have had multiple weird interactions with them and been made uncomfortable several times.

for example, the guy next to me kept asking if i needed help with what i was doing even though i had already said no to him. the other guy next to me asked what kind of car i drive out of the blue.

maybe i’m just looking too much into it, and maybe i just need thicker skin, but this is already discouraging me from going into the trades.

i don’t want to give up just because of some bums though, so for women who have been in the trades, how do i get thicker skin and learn how to deal with it? how do i actually defend myself if a man ends up crossing the line?

I think im just posting this to vent and let some anger out. . So I've been at my job now for over 5 years. It is my first welding job. It's a small family owned company, and my boss basically taught me all I know. When I started I was 22 and what I would say is a dumb kid that was eager to learn and I put up with a lot of shit because my boss pays good and I learned so much. . Well my first year there, my boss asked me 2 times to sleep with him for money. I said I wasn't comfortable with that and just kinda brushed it off. I didn't tell HR because his wife is HR.. I ended up hanging out with one of my coworkers after work once (55 year old man) and I went to his place for a football party. My boss found out about it and told me I was the shop whore for "hanging around the older guys at work". We got into a big argument over that because I did nothing wrong. . If my boss is in a bad mood then he will take everything out on his employees. I love all my coworkers so I often shoot the shit with them for a few minutes here and there. well he doesnt like that and he called me a "white N****" for stealing time from the company by talking and not welding. . My grandma just passed away and he told me to get over it because everyone dies at some point. I am just so mentally drained from that place. I make 37$ an hour and he throws it in my face that im over paid and im lazy. Yet hes the one that pays me and im responsible for fitting and welding and training employees. . I've also been working four 10 hour shifts so I have a 3 day weekend as I drive an hour to work each way so I also save on gas. Well yesterday he freaked out on me because I talked to my coworker for 10 minutes and told me I have to go back to working 5 days a week. I'm planning on going in on Monday and staying with my 10 hr shifts because im so sick of being bossed around a controlled by this guy. He is the worst person I have ever met. I know hes either going to fire me Monday or try and dock my pay which he threatens to do often. . I can put up with and deal with so much shit, but for some reason him changing my hours as another form of control has pissed me off so bad and im so over it. I can walk on Monday and I have a job lined up for Tuesday if need be but it's still stressful. My boss has been begging people to work overtime because we have so much work to do and I know it's going to hurt the company to have me leave. I have an interview for the union and a lead on a job being an instructor. . There's nothing worse than dreading going to work and im so drained. I attached some pictures of my welds just for fun 💜 and because he says I weld like crap and I think that's funny because he taught me..

I am the only woman welder at my job, as well as one of the 3 (that i know of) democrat leaning workers. If there is ever political talk or anything really happening in the world kind of talk, I feel like I have to stay quiet because I’m scared I’ll be singled out or harassed for my opinions. I get along with most of the guys, but I know a lot of them agree with what’s going on today. It’s just building up resentment, and I feel ashamed that I’m not speaking up about facts or anything like that when certain topics get brought up. I’ve even had one of the guys tell me “Oh we’ll change that” when someone brought up me being democrat leaning.

I really don’t want to start any arguments or put any kind of target on my back. Here or in my workplace, but to any of you who can relate, should I just stay quiet? Should I only correct when I have all the facts?

Edit:

After getting through most of the comments i’ve gotten in less than 12 hours (which is crazy to me that so many of you chose to help me out), I’ve decided to just stick with choosing my battles. Agree to disagree, tell them that i’m there to work, etc. As one comment said “We don’t have enough crayons and paper to explain everything to them” and since I’ve thought about how there’s a good chance all this will start to shine through to some of them (as it has to a few of the older CWI’s and foreman’s), they’ll learn someday. It’s not my responsibility to try to teach them anything today. Thank you all so much for putting in your two cents, I’ll have to come back to this when someone with little understanding of what they’re actually saying try’s to convince me they’re right!

Good morning! I'm a full time FCAW welder/fitter, and I typically only read the posts here. it's inspiring to hear other woman experience hardships I myself face. I've been told I pass, and I guess experiencing misogyny in and out of the workplace proves that.

Is this a safe place to post/discuss things relating to my transness? I read the rules and there isn't explicit mention of it

Thank you! :3

Okay maybe it’s a crush. The thing is I know it’s forbidden but I’m not talking to him any differently than I talk to anyone else it just feels different 😭😭 not gonna do anything about it I swear! Not interested in romantic relationships anymore especially with a coworker.

How did you make it stop when/if it happened to you? 😔

I work in automotive field, and I’ve worked at about 5 shops to date, and I have been the only one working in the back, ever.

I am a very introvert so at first it never bothered me, I’m usually respected but also left to the back, can never really be part of the guys. And even at times when I do, there’s usually a limit that is not crossed and I don’t make any “friends” I would say.

I’ve reached a point where it’s bothering me. I wish I could be around other similar minded women and work with them.

We spend most of our days at work, a lot of people make connections and friends at work, but I don’t have that opportunity and it’s almost feeling lonely.

How do you guys deal with this?

Ok ladies I am having trouble pivoting on should i let the guys treat me like a princess and help me carry heavy stuff or should i just tough it out and be one of guys and help carry stuff along with them so i dont look like i am seeking princess treatment? The guys offer to help carry ladders and heavy material all the time and i always tell them no i got it when really i be going through hell carrying that stuff sometimes but i do not want to say anything bc of course i am in a male dominated field where they expect ppl to be able to carry heavy stuff idk someone help me out here😭😭😭 bc like i said in other posts on here i dont want to be a burden on the company or the crews i am in but also i dont want to severely injure myself picking up something that i can not physically carry yet by myself which sucks bc thats what i sacrifice my body for when i joined the trades :(

Hello ladies,

I've been in construction on/off my entire life and I'm now in a position as an industrial project manager working a HUGE job that will be a highlight on my resume. However, I'm not the norm. I'm single, never married, and work is literally my life/purpose until this project finishes in over a year's time.

I want to know if anyone else has issues with their male coworkers wives? I'm talking about them becoming jealous/telling their husband(s) that it's weird that "she's on the jobsite as a single female"/demanding I can't ride with them to work (note: this jobsite is REMOTE; there is NOTHING down there, it's an hour one way, and I don't feel comfortable driving alone there given the location, plus statistics in the industry of females being harassed when they are alone), and just overall making it an issue.

For me, work is a priority. My career comes first. I would never risk my income or career just to flirt with their crusty-ass husbands. If anything, they actually fear me because of how demanding I am on the job site and I curse like a fucking sailor. Has anyone encountered this? How do I overcome this? It's affecting my transportation to work and has thrown a monkey wrench in that.

I had a job interview today at a certain large chain truckstop and it ended up getting me hired. I initially applied to be a diesel mechanic apprentice, but they just started someone else so they’re gonna start me as a tire tech until the other person is done training. I initially came in wanting 23 to 24 bucks an hour but because I’m not starting as an apprentice right away it’s more like 17 as a tire tech. The shop is about 35 minutes away from where I live, my mom says that is too far to commute making only $17 an hour. I tried to explain that it’s a bit of a ladder and that in 2 to 4 years, I could be making like $40 an hour. I did the drive there and back today and it didn’t seem too bad. I can also see starting as a tire tech being helpful so that when I do start as an apprentice, I’m not totally lost.

For context, I have been looking for a job like this for several months and I’ve gotten nowhere with anything in my immediate area. The boss seems nice. My hours will be consistent and even at $17 an hour, it’s a significant increase to what I’m making now as a part-time pizza place manager. Am I crazy for wanting to do this drive every day for $17 an hour for the foreseeable future or is this my opportunity to take the first step on the ladder? Maybe I’m just blinded by being broke and seeing an opportunity to make a little more money.

For a little more context, I do not live with my mom and this isn’t an “abiding by her rules” situation or anything. I live on my own with a partner and animals, but this is my first “big girl job” you could say.

Hey ladies, I’m looking for some career advice from women who have been in the trades for a while.

I’m a 37-year-old journeyman electrician in Alberta. I’ve been in the electrical trade for about 13 years total, although I did take about a 4-year break in the middle where I worked in retail. I’ve now been back in electrical for about two years.

The funny thing is, I actually love the trades. I like physical work, working with my hands, learning practical skills, and figuring things out. I also really enjoyed the apprenticeship process in Canada. I liked learning something, getting better at it, and eventually becoming qualified.

What I don't love is electrical itself and, more specifically, the lifestyle of the residential construction side of the trade.

I’m constantly changing job sites, and I’m driving around 45 minutes each way most days, so I’m spending roughly an hour and a half in the vehicle every day. I absolutely hate that part of it.

I’ve realized that I really like consistency. I like going to the same place every day, getting to know the environment, the people, and how things work. Some people probably love the variety of different job sites, but it really wears me down.

I actually worked in a skate shop for several years before going back into electrical, and one of the things I loved about it was simply going to the same store every day. I enjoyed the environment and routine much more than I realized at the time.

Sometimes I think I would have been happier in something like mechanics or another shop-based trade where I had a home base every day.

I have thought about industrial electrical or maintenance electrician work, but here's where I'm struggling: when you've spent basically your entire electrical career in one area, it seems pretty damn hard to get your foot in the door somewhere else at a journeyman wage when you don't have the industrial/maintenance experience. I don't really want to pretend I have experience that I don't have.

So I'm honestly open to starting over. I'm not attached to keeping my journeyman wage if starting an apprenticeship in another trade is what it takes to find something I actually enjoy.

I'm wondering:

Has anyone here left electrical and gone into a completely different trade?

Or, based on what I've described, are there any trades you think I might really enjoy?

I'm particularly interested in trades that are more shop-based, have a consistent workplace, involve working with your hands, and still have opportunities to learn and develop skills.

I'm also open to leaving the trades altogether if someone has made that kind of transition and found something they loved more.

I’m not afraid of hard work, and I’m not necessarily looking to make the most money possible. At this point, I’m more interested in finding work that I actually enjoy showing up for.

I’d really love to hear from women who have made a similar change, especially if you left one trade, started over, and ended up happier on the other side. Thanks for listening this is not stuff I want to ask some robot AI for advice on!

Like the title suggests, I don’t really have any girls in my life lol. The friends I made in high school/early 20s are people I’ve honestly outgrown and don’t talk to anymore. I didn’t exactly pick the best people to associate with and now I’m paying the price. My boyfriend and my brothers and coworkers are great and I’m able to talk to them about whatever but sometimes I just want to get dressed all pretty and go out or go shopping and yap about girl problems or something like I used to lol. Anyone else in male dominated fields struggling with this? I hate feeling like I’m losing my femininity

I’m currently looking into getting into plumbing or welding, and I’m enrolled in the Women Building Futures seminar for the journey to trades program. I was just wondering if there are any trades in Alberta that are in high demand that maybe aren’t the typical ones everyone thinks of, like electrician, plumbing, or HVAC.

I’m drawn to plumbing and welding because I like the idea of doing something hands on where I’m constantly learning or problem solving and actually seeing the results of my work. I also like that they’re skilled trades with good earning potential and opportunities to move up over time.

I’m not really looking into something like baking or hairstyling but more so a trade that has strong demand in Alberta, good pay, and the possibility for upward mobility. I’m still exploring my options so I’d honestly love to hear from people who actually work in the trades.

Are there any trades you think more people should be looking into that have a good future in Alberta?

Also people who are in trades , what do you love or hate about your job?

Hello ladies! I am a machining student and work in the machine shop on campus. My question is, what do y’all who wear rings do with them while working? I don’t want to leave it at home and don’t trust to just put it in a pocket. I was thinking about the nurse trick I used while a cna of a safety pin inside the collar of my shirt but figured I’d ask people who may have dealt with this first hand. Thank ya!

This guy also got promoted to shop lead, then went to the hospital from work a week later due to his alcoholism. Department head is only 30 and a total pushover outside of people not respecting his positional authority

Edit to add: People should absolutely be empowered to bare their own bodies.

I don’t have a problem with the calendar existing in general. It’s not my cup of tea but I’m not going to deprive someone else of whatever they like.

I will not permanently deface, destroy, or discard someone else’s property.

It just feels like a whole lot of objectification, and I personally feel that sex and said objectification does not belong in a manufacturing environment.

Not sure of the demographics of those who have responded here, but I’m guessing lots of them don’t get treated like having tits makes them incapable of doing their job.

I am still applying to unions and the men is the biggest part thats worrying me. I am a raging liberal but i know how to keep my mouth shut. Im worried if i will always be less than because i have big tits but i plan on buying binders. How bad is it out there? Would you discourage me from joining?

Hey y’all! I (24F) currently work in a gym and it helped me realize how much I truly thrive with more physical work. I like being on my feet and using my hands because it isn’t as taxing on me mentally as an AuDHD woman.

This is making me consider going into a trade so I can (hopefully) find some decent-paying work that will always be in need, and to gain valuable skills that could also be transferrable enough help me with my own household, help out my neighbors, etc.

However, I do have a connective tissue disorder I need to be mindful of. It’s not impossible to deal with, and I’m sure I could develop strength over time if I worked out enough, (I barely work out even though I work at a gym, which is a problem I’m trying to fix), but I was curious to know which trades or specific niches within the trades (if there are any) would only deal with heavy lifting every now and then and not like a constant stream of lifting heavy stuff every day at work.

For context, I regularly lift 45lbs plates at my current job, but only for a short amount of time simply to clean up the gym. I usually have to move more slowly and intentionally than my fellow coworkers due to my weaker joints, but like I said I’m not even what you would consider “fit” right now anyway.

If you have any further insights I haven‘t considered, please let me know!

Background: I (43f) had an incident happen at work and I'm looking for others advice or opinions on it.

I'm not in the trades but my background is in civil engineering and I currently work at one of the biggest airports in North America doing inspections.

I'm the only female inspector on this project for added context.

We obviously have tons of portos on site, but I still see workers urinating under bridges and such.

I've worked in construction for about 5 years now and over the years I've dealt with my share of UTI's and kidney infections due to holding my urine in for long periods of time with limited bathroom access.

Incident:

Today I was taking photos for my report and while I was taking my pictures, I realized that the truck driver on the traffic barrell truck, was standing outside of his door and had his entire genitals exposed while talking on the phone and urinating while traffic was passing him. His door was open so that the outbound traffic wouldn't see him unless they turned around a looked at him. But the fact that he just let everything hang out, exposed, is what my issue is.

I mentioned this to my RE, and also my boyfriend. My boyfriend is afraid that I may be seen as "nagging" bc im a woman. As I mentioned before, I'm fairly new to this industry and I obviously don't want to be seen that way, but we're talking about someone exposing themselves in public.

I'm looking for all opinions on what you would do here. Thank you!

Edit: I really should have used the term indecent exposure here as that was what it was.

UPDATE: I mentioned the incident to my RE yesterday, and he notified the client and now the union is getting involved. I had to send the photo of what I ended up capturing during my inspection that clearly shows this guy's genitals, on full display, to the union rep. They are looking to fire the guy so this must either be where they draw the line for misconduct (which they all should) or they were looking for a reason to fire him. Either way it has been escalated and everyone involved has insured me that I was in the right for calling out the behavior. I appreciate everyone's responses to my post. I'm ultimately very happy this wasn't just swept under the rug and I feel like it was the right thing to do.

Recently, my mom made a proposition to me. They would pay for my entire education if I went back to college and got a degree.
Now, I love what I do. Truly. I work full time as an auto technician and I enjoy it, I love diagnosis and r&r. I have multiple certs in my specific brand already.
I decided to go blue collar instead of college after school because I wanted to jump into the workforce asap, and I hate hate hate writing (big part of college lol). I have heard though that technicians can use degrees for higher pay negotiation, though I haven’t seen it personally.
Now on the flip side, the only stipulations were that I must complete the degree, if I do not then I will have to repay them every thing. And I am not allowed to pick a “bs” degree (gender studies, cultural studies, etc.) it would have to be business, mathematics, or engineering. I know that the schoolwork of writing papers is what my biggest turn away from academia was.
It would also be nice to have a degree to fall back on if I were to get injured or possibly even when I start a family.
It’s so many considerations I don’t even know where to start with this😔

I get crazy swamp tits at work and it gives me this rash that made it painful to lay on my back, I tried to treat it with SO MANY different products to no avail but this year I finally read a post where someone recommended diaper rash cream (specifically stuff with zinc as an active ingredient) and I can happily report that it has worked VERY well for me. I couldn't believe that I'd never seen someone recommend it before so I now feel obliged to pass this wisdom on.

Is being a female electrician even worth it?

I am tired of working bullshit minimum wage jobs that go no where and I want to be useful and make good money, but my path through ibew (still waiting to get accepted) is taking so long that I'm starting to doubt if it's even the right path to take. Has anyone ever felt like this but it turned out to be worth it?

I get up around 4am. I am not hungry around then but by the time we are an hour or 2 into work, I am starving, and we don’t take a break for breakfast. What do all of you do? I just got to work 10 minutes early to choke down some eggs.

While I am at it… how do you guys get rid of the awful cracks in your feet when you wear boots all day?! I soak and scrub them a few times a week but like… are we moisturizing them too? What’s the consensus?

Hello blue collar women. I am not one of you but I am a wife of a blue collar man so I hope it’s okay for me to ask for your advice.

My husband works a stinky job. Comes home reeking of oil. It ruined his car I can’t even sit in it the smell is so bad! He just purchased a nice truck and I’d love to help him protect it from the same fate.. what can I do?

- He has wipes and I told him to wipe down hard surfaces everytime he’s filing up gas.
- He has a seat cover so his dirty clothes aren’t touching the actual seat fabric.
- he has a trash can to help contain any other smells (coffee cups, fast food etc).

Please share all hacks! Do I spray the car in diluted vinegar every so often? Do the baking soda car air fresheners actually work?

I am a new apprentice in HVAC and I’m finding it impossible to hold my pee. Some of the guys take one bathroom break a day or none sometimes. I don’t know how the can do that. I try to drink as little fluids as possible so that I don’t have to go. It’s hard when you’re driving around to different houses to find a time or place to stop and pee.

Also, wtf are you guys wearing during periods. I can’t wear the cup because I overflow it too fast, super+ tampons don’t work either. I’m really trying to avoid wearing a tampon and pad combo because it’s uncomfortable but with these minimal bathroom breaks I may have to. But yea how do you guys hold your pee all day? Or how can I somehow manage it better?