We’re starting to see more women at construction sites these days, but…
Lately, I’ve been seeing more women on construction sites than I used to. Not only are there women working in construction management, but I also see many women working alongside the laborers on the job.
For those of us working in the construction industry, this is extremely valuable, and I’m personally delighted to see so many women thriving in this field.
However, at the same time, I’ve heard that some companies are complaining that “women in civil engineering aren’t doing their jobs.” Let’s take a look at the reality on the ground to see why this is happening.
Is the Number of Women in Civil Engineering Who Don't Work Rapidly Increasing?
Skilled workers on the job site often say that female civil engineers who don’t work on-site are basically “being pampered.”
At construction sites, women working in civil engineering are still a rare sight. Naturally, women aren’t assigned to lift heavy objects or perform heavy labor. You might think this is nothing out of the ordinary, but the problem lies ahead.
It is said that, in very rare cases, some women working in civil engineering take advantage of the fact that they are not required to perform heavy labor.
Just because they don’t have to carry heavy loads or perform physically demanding work doesn’t mean they’re exempt from doing any work at all. Nevertheless, it seems there are actually companies that are struggling with female civil engineering workers who take advantage of their gender to refuse to perform the tasks assigned to them.
Due to the nature of construction sites, the problem of workers not doing their jobs is a constant issue.
Construction sites are known for their so-called "3K" working conditions.
Since women are entering jobs that are considered harsh working environments even for men, it stands to reason that special consideration is necessary. I believe that women should not be required to perform work that is excessively strenuous for them, such as handling extremely heavy materials or operating heavy machinery for long periods in conditions involving vibration.
However, I feel that precisely because such consideration is necessary, there are areas where women’s job responsibilities have become somewhat ambiguous.
This might sound harsh, but in my personal opinion, if you’re working as a laborer on a construction site, not being able to handle tasks like hauling materials or operating heavy machinery means you’re “not a valuable asset.” From the perspective of men working on construction sites, isn’t it understandable that they might see you as a hindrance?
Women themselves also need to be considerate of the workplace.
While I agree with the common view that “men should protect women,” I think that if a woman has chosen to enter the construction industry of her own accord, she must also be aware of her own responsibilities.
“It seems to me that many of the women in civil engineering who are praised on the job for being ”more capable than men” are well aware of their place on the job site.
For example, men handle the transport of formwork materials, while women take the lead on detailed, tedious tasks such as nailing down plywood and battens. Since women are often far more dexterous than men, they establish their roles in the workplace by performing tasks that men find tedious—tasks they cannot handle because they lack the physical strength required for heavy lifting and transport.
During concrete pouring, for example, men typically handle the physically demanding tasks such as operating vibrators and pouring from hoppers, while women take the lead in finishing work using trowels. It is often said that women are better suited for these tasks than men.
I think women need to give this some thought, given that men are taking on the more physically demanding work.
If you're working on-site, women and men should be treated equally.
When I write articles like this, some people are bound to say, “No to gender discrimination!” But I want you to think about it carefully.
If you don’t want to do physically demanding work, there are other options besides working on-site, such as cost estimation or administrative duties. Given that there are several options available, if you’ve decided to work on-site as a woman, I think—to put it bluntly—you need to be prepared to get your work clothes dirty just like everyone else.
I’m writing this article with a deep sense of regret toward the many women who work so hard on construction sites, but as for the small number of women who think they’re “special,” I feel compelled to pour cold water on their expectations from the perspective of a man working in the construction industry.
In order to make the construction industry a place where women can play an even greater role, isn’t it necessary to change the mindset that ”it’s only natural for men to help women”?
From the God of Construction
