To think this is because im a woman

[Femalemachinest]

Hi,
I am the only female machine Operator in my department. We have levels within that. I am currently only level 1, others are all level 3 and have worked 15 years plus. One Operator moved departments and he was replaced with 2 other males (one internal, one external). We currently only run 3 machines full time and 3 part time. With the new ops there is now 7 of us. The external was brought in at level 2 which seems to have pushed me down the line of training, as he now needs to know 2 machines to warrant his money.
I have been told multiple times that our manager has said I am to stay at level 1 and only cover the machine I currently know. New hire obviously now has to learn minimum 2 but has been told he will learn all. I believe internal also believes he will learn all.
I have pulled our manager up twice who has of course said its not true. 1st time stated I probably can't lift panels on one machine, I said I would try. 2nd conversation he has now decided im not suitable for another machine with no explanation too.
The only difference I can see is that I am a woman. I can see no other reason to write me off. I work overtime (the reason I first learnt is other wouldn't), I complete my work quickly and efficiently. I have spoken to another department team leader to move jobs as I believe my manger wouldn't admit what he said if i go to hr.

Does anyone else agree this is probably due to me being female? Sorry this is long.

Can you do the job?

1st time stated I probably can't lift panels on one machine, I said I would try.

I think i could. Hes not giving me the chance to try. I am a I will try anything before I say I cant type of person. I work for a kitchen Manufacturer. Hes saying I couldn't lift larder ends but I currently machine doors and I lift the larder doors, some of which are heavier than the end panels. I also lift pallets multiple times throughout the day. I have worked on the larder production line putting doors on, again these are heavy and you have to hold them up.... manager has tried this he couldn't do it and I stepped in.
Im unsure why hes written me off the other machine, the trollies can be heavy but once you get going theyre ok and not far to move to work space.
The other department I have spoken to is production where I would also need to lift panels and they are happy to take me once they have an opening.

Yes, it sounds like he doesn’t think a woman can or should do the job. Put a request in writing to him, to let you try to train. Perhaps you could word it as personal development and ability to provide holiday cover, if there’s no current vacancy. If he says no, ask him to explain why in writing. Then go to HR.

Can you lift the panels? If you can he really doesn't have a leg to stand on. I would suggest you speak with HR who will be alive to any allegations of sex discrimination but you do need to be able to physically do the work.

I can definitely lift them. Im unsure if I could do it all day, but like I said im happy to try and would say if I couldn't. I really got on with the guy that moved and he was happy to teach me both so obviously he thought id be ok and knew me a lot better than my manger.

Speak to HR. You need to know where you stand.

Doesn't fucking matter. There are tons of weedy men out there.

This is likely going to pass the threshold for direct discrimination. I’d be tempted to give ACAS a call. You can give them very specific information about your employer and role, and they will advise you on what to do, and how to go about it. You can raise it with HR and absolutely should, but if you’re unsure on positioning ACAS can help with that.

I dont feel like he will admit what he has said to me, there was no one in listening distance. The general thing of me staying level 1 has been told to multiple people but he's denying saying it. So I dont think I can prove he's refusing to let me learn anything else.

Not surprisingly, he hasnt spoken a word to me since our conversation on Friday.

OP, just a slightly different view point, as a young woman I was always doing DIY, lifting heavy paving slabs, hunks of wood, etc., I'm now in a wheelchair because of the damage I did to my back, whilst doing this heavy lifting, so can I ask whether your company provide you with a back support for when you are lifting these heavy boards, if not, then I would advise you against trying to fight this, and to look to progress by changing role maybe. Just a thought, as I'd hate you to end up like me!

How heavy are they max load for a women is 10kg less then a man and thats the law. Doesnt matter if your a strong woman disabling yourself isnt a good idea

But he did say it to you.
So he’d have to double down and lie if confronted.

Start looking around for a level 2 job?

Sexist bastards.

He literally said 'you wouldn't be able to lift that panel'. It's too late now, but you should've asked 'why do you say that?'. 100% it's because of your sex. You should take this to HR or the MD.

I have spoken to another team leader in production who would be happy to take me in there. As a plus I can actually make more money in there

Honestly I dont know. They are are lighter than some of the doors I lift. Im not sure how to find out, they are just chipboard. And its not like a lift to carry them somewhere, its out of a trolley onto the machine.

Shouldnt be an issue then. I was requested to lift 25kg drums of waste and i couldnt as it wasnt safe so had to get a lift tolley for them. But once there is no hns issue then id be putting in a complaint