In this case, when we're dealing with the fact that I am a woman (a minority in the male-dominated field of construction), my co-workers are often hesitant in the first few days/weeks of working with me. And I too am somewhat hesitant. As many apprentices often feel when transferring to a new crew or company, there is a certain testing period that happens when everybody wants to know "Is this a good fit?" Like an ecosystem, there exists a very sensitive balance amongst crew members that builds over time. Sense of humors, work styles, complaining and praising habits are all variables that interact to create the cohesion of a team. When a new person is thrown in the mix, suddenly there's turmoil, uncertainty and curiosity. Add to this the fact that "it's a girl!" and you've got a full-blown tornado of confusion. What do I do? I show up, and work. I do the electrical work the way I've been trained, I ask questions about new concepts, and I cross my fingers that personalities will mesh. Usually, it's no problem. There have been a few glitches here and there, but nothing that I've found terribly off-putting.
One common theme that I've found is that many men who don't yet know me are fearful of what they say and how they act when I am in the room. There is a certain level of mistrust that lingers about "being politically correct" and whether or not a formal complaint will be issued against them. Sometimes it feels like they think I'm a vulture or hawk, just waiting for the opportunity to pounce on their bad deeds, and make it big on the company's legal cash-cow. I guess that's a side-effect of society using legal means and fear mongering to teach about tolerance and diversity. I'm sure these things do happen, but unfortunately I think it's over-represented and a little misguided to perpetuate the drama.
If you happen to be a male electrician, unsure of how to handle a woman on the job, I would advise to not let the fact that she's a woman get in the way of realizing all the other aspects of this human being who you're dealing with, just like that other new guy you're trying to figure out -- there's lots more about a person than whether they stand up or sit down while peeing.
Ultimately, I don't think anyone likes their identity being put into a cubbyhole and being treated, based solely on one aspect of who they are. It is pretty offensive, no matter how you say it -- "Oh you're acting like such a ________." (enter any single aspect: woman, christian, republican, liberal, man, jew, mexican, etc.) If there's any one thing I'd like to be judged on, that would be how good an electrician I am. And everyone should know there's always room for improvement.
Comments & questions welcome.
