A bunch of old white dudes
This past Saturday, August 7, 2021, the Globe and Mail newspaper published a great article by Elizabeth Renzetti. She made several good points in the piece after she introduced us to a female carpenter.
The lady became a carpenter but it took her longer to land a position than her male classmates. One employer openly told her that she wouldn’t be able to physically handle the demands of the job. Ouch.
Now, in landscape horticulture it can also be a grind with tons of machine work and heavy tarps to lift; in all sorts of weather. The work load can be shifted slightly without offending anyone. For example, girls can do a bit more finesse work, instead of power shearing all day. Openly saying they can’t do the job isn’t acceptable.
After enduring many insults, the carpenter eventually left to start her own company and she’s now in her seventh season. I love that. She also became an activist and she isn’t shy. I love her quote: “Who am I upsetting? A bunch of old white dudes in construction? Who cares.” That’s brilliant. If you don’t speak up, nothing will change.
I’d like to think that the landscape industry is better but it’s still macho and male-dominated. According to the article, women make up less than 4% of skilled tradespeople in Canada. My current employer has four female workers; one got promoted early in 2021 to manager.
Hard to stay?
Yes, women are encouraged to enter skilled trades but it’s not easy for them to stay. It doesn’t matter how skilled you are when your workplace is toxic. Many choose to leave after enduring harassment and, sometimes, assault.
Then there are other issues we -men- don’t really think about. Like properly fitting work boots, gloves and clothes for women in trades. Allegedly, safety harnesses are manufactured for male chests, not for well-developed women.
In landscaping, one big issue is washrooms. My employer tries to put female workers on sites where there are washrooms. It could be portables or nice clubhouses. When women have to drive off site, it affects productivity.
Also, harassment of any kind isn’t tolerated. All new employees get company policy handouts to read and sign; and any slip ups are quickly addressed. Nobody gets referred to as “princess” or “sweetheart”; and it’s assumed that all employees can physically perform their tasks.
My employer also tries to make allowances for daycare drop offs. Yes, it can be a pain for landscape foremen when people arrive late but that’s how it is. Kids have to get dropped off, then the worker has to make her way to site. Daycare and flexibility are huge issues for women.
Conclusion
If you want women to stay in trades jobs, you have to make the work environment friendly and listen to criticism. And don’t be afraid to make the necessary changes.
