I work in a rather sexist industry (brewing) which has typically been dominated by men, there are more women coming through as brewers but traditionally the only women to work in this industry have been in admin roles. I work in telesales and admin, I bring in about 80% of the sales, the two sales reps who are both men bring in about 20%. One of the reps is incredibly sexist, says things like women get paid less because they dont work as hard, female pub managers dont do their job as well as men do, hes shocked that there are so many female pub managers etc
I challenge him on these views although its pointless because I cant just sit there and listen to it, or the rasist stuff he spews.
What I've come in here about though is the fact that I always get referred to as "the girl in the office" thats what he calls me to customers and hes not the only one. Some of the customers refer to me as the girl in the office. I'm 30 for goodness sakes not 10!
Does anyone have any good strategies for dealing with this? I've considered referring to them as boys to their face e.g. you boys going out to the pubs etc. I know theres isnt much I can do about the customers, maybe a light "I think im a bit too mature to be a girl" etc.
But has anyone come across this and can they give me any advice? Part of me wants to leave the industry because of the hanitual ingrained sexism. Despite bringing in a lot more money I am paid less. Despite being the top sales person I am expected to take minutes in meetings (I accept this may come under the admin part of my job, but its asked with the implication its because I am a woman), sales meeting are held with the men when I am not there, because they will all go out to a pub and get drunk together and I am not invited. Then I find I've yet again been blamed for something because I wasnt there to defend myself
On the other hand I dont want to be forced to leave, I want to try and do something about the attitude, the industry will never be less male dominated unless women do something about it, even if I am in a more traditionally female role. I'm the only woman in a small company. Not everyone is sexist but the men who arent wont do anything about It even though they agree its wrong. They ignore it when it happens and say they didnt hear it or they werent listening. They ignore ofical complaints about it and suggest I put up with it as the main offender MAY retire in april, but if he doesntmI'm sure I'll just be expected to put up with it for a little longer etc
sorry this turned into a longer post than I expected, I think I needed to get that off my chest. Sorry for any spelling mistakes, my fingers and a touch screen do not get on well!
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Can I ask some advice?
43 replies
EustaciaBenson · 30/10/2014 23:40
OP posts:
MyEmpireOfDirt ·
31/10/2014 10:01
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MyEmpireOfDirt ·
31/10/2014 10:03
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