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Original poster

Anybody experience sexism at work and what to do about it?!

34 replies

Pombliboo123 · 12/07/2017 20:25

I'm a fairly young female, work in a male dominated office environment. Not senior enough to really stand up for myself without getting into trouble.

Absolutely pig sick of the men in my office treating me like I'm worthless.

Just a small example...

Pombliboo... we need read and coffees in the board room.

Erm that's not actually my responsibility anymore (worked hard from receptionist to get to where I am now).

Well you booked the training course so you have to make the lunch and coffees.

I didn't book the course.... male colleague (same level as me) did

Well he's far to busy you need to do it.

And then instructed to clean up the meeting room after they had all finished.

Spoke to my (amazing) line manager (female) Who spoke with the CEO and he completely shut her down and said that the women need to be doing it as then mens time is more valuable.

Same man who told me after I requested a deserved pay rise that I was paid average "for a woman".

This happens EVERY DAY.

Pombliboo can you go and get me a notebook? (Wtf I work in HR...)

Erm no you can find them in the cupboard downstairs

Straight into the CEO office complaint about I'm not doing my job?!?!?!? CEO agrees and tells me to get the notebook?!?!

How can I put my foot down without getting fired?!?!

OP posts:
DJBaggySmalls · 13/07/2017 10:34

Keep an incident diary and contact ACAS.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 13/07/2017 10:01

I feel for you. I also experience sexism daily, although it is usually more covert than what you have been experiencing, which can be frustrating because that makes it harder to prove.

All I can suggest is that you ask for things in writing and document your experiences.

AngelaTwerkel · 13/07/2017 06:57

Take notes of every incident, large and small.

Join a union and ask their advice. I don't know which one but being in the private sector doesn't preclude membership.

This us disgraceful!

Original poster
Pombliboo123 · 13/07/2017 06:51

Thanks for the replies... I like the spitting in the coffee idea Grin

I have thought about getting another job... but I really enjoy the work (not the extra "woman duties" And I get along so well with my line manager so I would be sad to go because of those reasons if I did leave.

I've been there for nearly 3 years, in 4 different positions. This only started to happen when the company was purchased by an investment company, merged with a similar company and the management team essentially replaced... before that it was great! No union... it's an engineering company specialising in offshore/wind farm work so private sector.

I think it's so hard because it stems from the top (CEO). If I thought I would have any support from the top I would stand my ground and point out the blatent sexism but what can you do when the big man will belittle you as well?!

OP posts:
AskBasil · 12/07/2017 21:26

what sort of organisation is it?

d'you have a union.

how long have you worked there

user1496321962 · 12/07/2017 21:23

No. Thank God

thatstoast · 12/07/2017 21:00

I've avoided a lot of this but not being able to make tea or coffee to any decent standard. Do you want to pretend to be a mormon? That doesn't help with notepads though.

I'd love to say you can do x, y, z and it'll stop but it is easier to find a new job. If you don't want the easy route then I would recommend joining a union, start documenting everything and use your grievance procedure.

VestalVirgin · 12/07/2017 20:51

WTF?

They sound utterly horrible and hopeless, I would recommend changing jobs if at all possible. Sorry.

Can't imagine a way to make them change their ways.

If you can't ... spit in their coffee. Even better, make them believe that you spit in their coffee, but don't actually do it, so that there's no proof against you.

Sorry for not being helpful. Flowers

Original poster
Pombliboo123 · 12/07/2017 20:28

Terrible grammar... I'm usually much better but I'm just so angry.

The male colleagues at the same level as me never get asked to do these things, And when I point this out it gets met with but we know you will do it better. WTF

OP posts: