When people think of the construction industry, they most often think of groups of men wearing hard hats. Around 90 percent of the construction industry workforce is male, so that image is accurate, but the number of women in construction is growing.
Things are changing, and Girl Contracting is proud to be working to change the face of construction. More and more women are taking advantage of the professional opportunities that the construction industry provides, yet there are challenges that they face in the workplace. In today’s blog post, we’re covering a few of the common challenges faced by women in construction. Continue reading to learn more, and if you’re in need of a construction company in Philadelphia, contact us today!
Earning Respect
Earning respect as a woman in a male-dominated workplace like construction is one of the biggest challenges faced by women. Many women say that they have to work harder to earn the respect that men get for doing the same thing, or that their opinions don’t carry the same weight as their male coworkers. This lack of respect extends to interactions with clients and customers, and many other companies, contractors, suppliers, and customers can be rude or abrasive to women.
Construction has long been seen as “men’s work” and many women feel that they have to continually prove their knowledge and technical skills to be taken seriously.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can occur in any workplace and to anyone, no matter their gender. However, in the male-dominated construction industry, harassment is a concern. The industry needs to improve its approach to creating safe workplaces.
Safety Equipment
Safety equipment and apparel must fit well to be safe. For example, a loose hard hat won’t properly protect you, and oversized safety gloves can make it challenging to do your job well. However, the majority of safety equipment is made to fit men. As more women enter the construction industry, more clothing and equipment options have been developed, but many women are doing their best with men’s cuts and sizes. We need more women-sized safety gloves, hard hats, and eye gear to ensure everyone’s safety.
Lack of Other Women
Many women are the only women in their office or job site, and this can mean that they have less access to mentorship and support. Being the only woman that many men see in their entire workday can also lead to sexual harassment or other unwanted treatment.
Girl Contracting Inc. – Philadelphia Construction Company
Every one of our projects is managed by a female contractor and is built by an in-house team of qualified contractors who are licensed in Pennsylvania. We are a minority-owned and operated firm with more than 13 years of experience in the construction industry, and when you partner with Girl Contracting, we’ll get your building built on time, within budget, with lasting quality, and with the utmost safety. We take a personalized, detailed approach to all of our work, and our services include new construction for both residential and commercial projects, project management, additions, interior design, and more.
If you’re ready to work with a Philadelphia construction company that is a cut above the rest, contact us today!