To want out of toxic industry

[CaffieneNeeder]

I’ve been working in the construction industry for past 4 years; 3.5 years with one company and 6 months with my current employer. I am aware it may seem unfair to base my assumption of the whole industry being “toxic” on 2 jobs but having had interviews with other companies I am aware that many other companies also work in similar environments. I’ve also had various family members work in the industry and they have all said the same.

I describe the industry as “toxic” because of the continual exposure to direct sexism (as well as the terrible pay gap too!) and constant pressure to perform below standard or bordering on illegal.

A few examples:
• Approached by my director for sexual favours for what felt like “I’ll scratch my back if you scratch mine”
• Manipulating figures or using purposefully complicated formulas to screw farmers out of their land for a lot lower than they expect
• Manipulating figures or using purposefully complicated formulas to mess with viability reports
• Using sub-standard materials on buildings
• Not sticking to planning protocol or building regulations
• Bullying behaviour to force questionable practices; e.g. closely shouted at in board room full of colleagues that it’s this way or leave

Issue is, I am the breadwinner in the family and have a company car and if I leave this industry I am unsure of where to go. I have a BA in Politics and MA in Planning and as I am in a managerial position I feel like my skills are transferable but not sure how to advertise myself to other industries. I should imagine I will have to start from bottom again which will mean a pay cut. I’m not sure if we could afford that, certainly not sure we could afford to lose the family car either.

AIBU in wanting to leave this industry all together? Not sure how I can or if I even should. And surely only working 6 months in current job doesn’t look good to start job hunting again?

Does your company not have a whistle blowing hotline? Most large companies I have worked in have done.

19lottie82 not that I am aware of, but even if they did I haven't any evidence of anything as they do not leave paper trails. I did attempt to gather evidence but it all just looked so pathetic. The whole company is like it though, even the MD and board members so I don't think exposing it would change their attitude. Currently I would rather just leave than have hassle of being listed as a whistle blower

Could you look at the other side of the market?
You know the industry and the issues there, so could you work for the farmers or planning to check what is being done by those in the construction industry is as it should be?

If you want to leave, then leave. I would try and secure another job first though, even if it’s just a temp role (many of which can be ongoing).

AmIAWeed Unfortunately I haven't the knack for being a sales person so wouldn't cut it as a Land Agent but a Council Planner could be a possibility, I will just have to accept a pay cut and figure out transport but at least wouldn't be dealing with this much shit hopefully.

19lottie82 Good idea, temp role will get me experience elsewhere at least too

Does your employer have a policy on sexual harassment in the workplace? Are you in a union? You are being treated appallingly.

CarefullyDrawnMap not in a union. not sure about any sexual harassment policy. I have spoken to my team (all men) about how I feel at can they please reign it in - last for about a week.

lasted*

OP I hear you. I left the construction industry around 20 years ago. It was toxic then and I have seen little evidence that it is changed. I got out by going to uni in part time hours then working in training and development.

I'm just about to apply for a masters in Planning and feeling very unsure about it. Doing it to get out of toxic Financial Services...

no advice OP just

TERFragetteCity well done for getting out! Not sure I can really afford to go back to uni after just finishing my Masters though.

Think I shall have to start looking at jobs over the weekend.

I did apply for a couple Monday but already received rejection emails.

Keep notes of what's happened.

You are protected under law and it is not acceptable for you to be treated like this. You might well decide you want to leave anyway, but you should not feel you have no choice but to leave.

I'd suggest looking at the ACAS site- they have a helpline you can call, and info about your rights if you are being sexually harassed at work. Also, citizens advice might be able to help.

If you have HR you could put something in writing to them (but be aware HR, despite what they'll say about being there for the wellbeing of employees, are mainly there to protect the employer).

Sorry you are going through this, it sounds awful.

I thought only men or relationships or friends could be "toxic" but now it's entire industries?

If you're in the UK the the company is breaching many laws with regard to building regs and sub-standard materials and you have a moral duty (perhaps legal, I can find out if you'd like) to report. Unless you're exaggerating, of course.

What do you mean by "Approached by my director for sexual favours for what felt like “I’ll scratch my back if you scratch mine”"

"felt like" means nothing to me.

Formulae and getting the best deal for the company are simply business.

If you want to leave then do.

WolfMcWolferson I'll avoid Financial Services too then! There is loads of money to be had on the construction industry if you are able to either put up with or join in with the toxicity of the Construction Industry. But like PP said on here, you could always go into the Public Sector - my experiences have all been based in the Private.

CarefullyDrawnMap I have got a note actually. probably shouldn't keep it on my work PC though. I feel just leaving will be best as my DH went through ACAS and HR route to complain when he was treated unfairly at work and it actually made things so much worse for him

Look into local authority planning roles. Another option would be to work for a firm who represents landowners when they sell to developers or allow pipelines or cabling across land. Negotiating these things is a major skill and you have the huge advantage of knowing all the tricks the developers will try 🧐 Not sure where you're based but companies such as Savills, Strutt and Parker, Knight Frank, CKD Galbraith, Bell Ingram etc all have departments that handle that kind of thing.

Write an email to yourself on personal email for each incident as it happen. This will make sure it's dated at the time, not just made up
Good luck

Yep, keep the notes somewhere safe. Even if you don't go ahead with a complaint, keep them for future ref. I completely agree, complaining can be a nightmare and very damaging to people emotionally and mentally stressful; it shouldn't be like that but that seems to be the way it is.

Toxic workplace, well known phenomena

Oh yes, email to yourself so dated is a really good idea like missing says

Okay I shall start emailing myself, is a good idea with the dates then. I was thinking about how keeping a note could surely be made up easily but with emails from various dates and times it will certainly have more weight. thank you!

SurfnTerfFantasticmissfoxy many of those are local to me. Actually got offered a job by one of them last time I was doing the rounds... wish I went there now

I am female and work in the construction industry (and have done for 12 years now). I haven't experienced what you are describing. Although some of what you have said is just business in general isn't it? Trying to get a good price for land isn't 'toxic' surely it makes business sense?

Oh and I find it offensive that I must be 'joining in' the toxic industry. Yours is one experience out of many.

Agree about financial services and I know some construction companies are like this.

Is it residential building as that is the worst. Larger companies are frequently the best bet in the construction industry and builders who build big infrastructure projects like power stations, waterworks or shopping centres (so buying for the end user of government agencies or other large companies) are often a better bet to work for. Would you be able to transfer your skills to a company like that? Companies whose end user is a professional business tend to behave more professionally overall.

SharkSave would you mind giving me a few companies you have worked for (if it isnt outing of course!) so maybe I could look to work there? Getting a good price for a land deal is one thing, agreeing X amount with a farmer but then writing a confusing formula in the contract which means he will only receive Y amount whilst farmer is still being verbally reassured he will be getting X is another thing entirely. And surely going against building regs or planning protocol is just plain awful - look at Grenfell?

SharkSave sorry I have offended you!