At the start of my career, when I worked on a construction site. I was once asked, “why do you only use the top two buttons of your jacket? It’s minus 2, aren’t you cold? “
I responded with, “yes, I’m cold. The jacket doesn’t fit round my waist and the buttons pop open when I move.”
“Why don’t you ask for a bigger jacket?”
I just sighed.
Because I had asked for a bigger jacket and was told that’s the only one, we have in stores. I didn’t want to cause a fuss as we were constantly being put up for redundancy (5 rounds in my first 2 years on site). The jacket arms were too long and puffy, and it went down past my knees. So it looked more like a cape than a coat.
What he also didn’t realise was my trousers didn’t fit (too tight around the hips, too long and baggy round the ankles). I was ridiculed for walking too slowly and not being able to get in and out of trenches without a “Jemma step” (a suitable access system but that’s a whole different problem). So, stupidly, I internalised the problem and thought it was because I was too fat for clothes, rather than the simple fact I was given the wrong size/ shape of clothing.
It was nearly 10 years later until I got a high vis jacket that fit me.
Yes, you read that right. TEN years!
It’s now 2024 and the topic of PPE that’s fits is still on the lips of a lot of people in the construction industry. So I ask you now? What is it like in your industry?
Now I can see how we have gotten here. With women making up 15.7% of engineering and technology roles (a decline from last year’s 16.5 % according to Engineering UK), the majority of PPE is purchased for men. So why would employers and supply chain bother about the minority when they can easily cater to a larger market. Companies often do not realise there are options out there for Women’s (and other genders) PPE size options.
So here is a link to a list of suppliers that The Most Influential Woman in Construction 2024 winner Katherine Evans, the CIOB and Construction Management Magazine has put together. https://ppethatfits.com/directory/
However I often wonder is something as simple as having clothing that fits really putting people (especially women) off becoming an engineer or working in construction? Or more importantly are these barriers making women leave the industry? The latest Engineering Council registration statistics shows the average age at which women leaves is 43, compared with 60 for men. With a concentrated portion of 35-44-year-old women leaving in the last year (according to Engineering UK website).
Speaking with other women in my field, they have confirmed it’s not just one little niggle like cold stomachs in winter. There are lots of experiences by women (and men and those who don’t identify as either) which are putting people off. There is a whole world of niggles that’s getting in the way of engineers doing engineering.
Now I can hear your counter argument to these niggles forming on the top of your tongue…
It’s only clothing, hike up your britches and get on with it -Yes but it’s constricting my movement which can be a safety hazard. According to HSE website 32% of nonfatal reportable accidents were caused by slips, trips and falls – I wonder how many were due to ill-fitting clothing?
It’s only a lock- yes but it’s stopping me from getting into the bathroom when I need to, hindering my welfare and delaying me getting back to work which makes me look like I’m slacking off.
It’s only a mop- yes but it fell on my head because the women’s toilet is used as a store room, which not only hurt my head but makes me feel unappreciated and as an afterthought.
It’s only banter- yes to you it’s funny but to me it’s another knock to my confidence and is causing me undue stress at work.
It only one more project to prove you’re ready for that promotion- yes but my male colleague got promoted on their potential whilst I need to “prove myself” twice over, delaying my career progression and reducing my salary potential.
It’s only a cup of tea- yes but you continue the meeting without me whilst I get the round in and I miss key information or opportunity to provide input. (Women are twice as likely to be asked to do menial tasks like make the tea compared to their male colleagues according to the Independent).
I could go on but then I would be labelled as a Moaning Murtle, Karen or a troublesome woman.
Each niggle above strips away part of your self-esteem and adds an unseen hurdle to your day.
So my question to you is what “niggles” make your life harder at work and what are we going to do about them?
More importantly, if you don’t do something, who is going to leave your team next?
Jemma Quin is a chartered civil engineer specialising in temporary works. She is a member of Council of the Institution of Engineers in Scotland