Two Steps Forward, One Step Back, The Support Women in the Industry Need

Mar 7

With over 1 million women working in the Construction Industry (between 11 and 12% of the workforce according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), great strides have been made toward a more inclusive work environment over the years. On construction projects around the country, we see women working in the field, being promoted to management positions, and working in safety management. All of these women, at some point in their career will face struggles that are unique to women in construction, but it’s their perseverance that keeps the changes coming.

There has always been a sort of “pink hardhat” stigma that women in construction have faced. For the longest time, if you wanted safety gear in women’s sizing, it was likely going to be a shade of pink. As if being the only woman onsite wasn’t enough, you were also expected to walk around wearing a neon pink sign. It’s been refreshing over the past few years to see this stigma fading away. We’re finally getting safety gear that is suited for our bodies without having to look different than the men onsite. One of the greatest changes I have seen for women’s safety gear is the introduction of harnesses designed specifically for women. As a woman who spent far too much time in an ill-fitting harness early on in my career, this would have been such an awesome piece of equipment to have! Hopefully we see continued efforts by companies to provide properly fitted safety gear for all of their employees.

Another challenge that many women in construction face is the transition into motherhood and finding a way to balance their career with being a parent. This challenge may not be unique to the construction industry, but it does have its own unique set of challenges. For women working in the field, their career depends on them being onsite, every day, full time. There is very little flexibility when it comes to part-time, which can make the return to work difficult after maternity leave. In my experience as a woman working on the management side, I found there was flexibility for part-time work, but little flexibility for remote work. With maternity leave being just 12 weeks, I struggled with the thought of returning to long work days with long commutes, and I am sure I am not alone in that struggle. Women working in design and engineering will typically find more flexibility and support as mothers, but there is certainly room for improvement in the support of women in the field and management.

One of the greatest things companies can do for young women entering the construction industry is to create a solid support network and mentoring program. Being a woman in this industry can sometimes feel quite isolating, especially in a situation where you are the only woman on a project. If you aren’t being provided the opportunity to interact and learn from other women, it can be difficult to imagine what the future of your career might look like. Whether you’re an apprentice looking for mentorship from a foreman or a field engineer looking for mentorship from a project manager, companies should be putting in the effort to connect these individuals and to create a culture where women can support one another. A company having a solid mentorship program will entice more women to want to work there as they know how much it can help in their career advancement.

As a whole, the construction industry has made huge strides in welcoming women into the work force. In my experience in the industry, I’ve seen companies enforce strict anti-harassment policies that create an environment where women can feel safe and are comfortable going to their superiors and human resources if any issues were to arise. It’s so important to note that this is not everyone’s experience. I worked in management and can not speak for women working in the trades. While nearly 11% of the construction work force is women, less than 5% are working in the trades, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. It takes even more courage to stand up against harassment as a woman in the trades. These women deserve to know they have the support they need to come forward, otherwise, how do we expect them to stay in the construction industry?

We need to build toward a future where women are accepted on the jobsite, not harassed, not tolerated, ACCEPTED. There’s so much more we can do than just acknowledge women in construction for one week a year. Let’s work towards a future where more women want to enter the industry, stay in the industry, and advance in their careers!