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Original poster

I feel conflicted on job role as a woman

33 replies

blueberry2105 · 25/08/2022 12:22

I am training to be a van driver for the company I work for. It involves being alone and sometimes driving over an hour away from the store. Lifting heavy boxes from heights above my head.

I'm 5ft 2 and weight 9.8st the lifting isn't a massive issue. I enjoy driving I like the adventure I like the customers so far they are lovely.

But one woman customer came out and made a massive point of saying how great she thinks a female delivery driver is and she's really happy that I'm training said we need more women in the job role and she was proud of me and good luck with it all.

Now this made me feel proud but conflicted because even though I'm loving the job I'm far from home visiting peoples houses in remote areas sometimes with no phone signal, and in the dark which will only get worse in winter. Why do I feel that maybe this is more suited to a man? I am 100% for women in the role but I almost feel more vulnerable than a man. Am I just being silly? Or is it normal to feel this vulnerable sometimes? Why do I feel being male would make me feel more protected.

Can anyone shed any experience or opinions on this as I love the job but I don't want to be an advocate for female drivers when even I don't feel 100% on women drivers 🤣

Please don't be mean I sometimes don't word things correctly and deep down I think more women should have these opportunities but why should we have to think about safety?

OP posts:
Original poster
blueberry2105 · 25/08/2022 13:06

I think any man or woman has the choice do a job despite its dangers. But I'm questioning the fact that I am proud to do a job like this but still feel that if I was male I would feel safer. I'm not saying it's fair that men do more dangerous jobs etc

OP posts:
Thelnebriati · 25/08/2022 13:05

This isn't a thread about H&S though. Lets not derail it with whataboutery.

StillGoingStrongToday · 25/08/2022 12:57

everybodystalking · 25/08/2022 12:27

And here you have expressed, very eloquently, the barriers to women's equality:
Yes you should be able to do any job that you are physically capable of and want to do
no the world is not fair or equal: women are more vulnerable to some crimes and it's not fair.

And men are more vulnerable to others. It’s also not fair that nearly all deaths at work involve men, but we don’t seem to view that as being a bar to them doing those jobs, so what’s the issue in this case?

DadDadDad · 25/08/2022 12:55

*would be reasonable

DadDadDad · 25/08/2022 12:54

Don't forget that your employer has a legal responsibility for your safety - what have they done to assess the risks and mitigate them? (Camera on your vehicle or person? tracking your location? regular check-in with your supervisor? I don't know what works be reasonable in your industry)

Fitzfatsfeist · 25/08/2022 12:46

Good on you training for a job you enjoy.

I have had jobs previously that involved driving long distances and lone working remotely. Personally I never had an issue, but of course the potential is there. If you are concerned about safety look up the Susie Lamplugh Trust, they have allot of great advice for keeping safe in these situations.

www.suzylamplugh.org/

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 25/08/2022 12:28

everybodystalking · 25/08/2022 12:27

And here you have expressed, very eloquently, the barriers to women's equality:
Yes you should be able to do any job that you are physically capable of and want to do
no the world is not fair or equal: women are more vulnerable to some crimes and it's not fair.

This.

everybodystalking · 25/08/2022 12:27

And here you have expressed, very eloquently, the barriers to women's equality:
Yes you should be able to do any job that you are physically capable of and want to do
no the world is not fair or equal: women are more vulnerable to some crimes and it's not fair.