Sexism at Work

[bainsidhe]

A good friend of mine was pregnant and informed her workplace for maternity leave. She works for a university on grant money. Her boss point-blank told her that she didn't know of they "could keep her around" since her benefits included paid maternity leave. Basically, this money would be coming out of their pockets, but without the benefit of having her around to do the work. And yes, this is very illegal.

My friend consulted a lawyer and paid a retainer to hire her on (around $1500 which seemed a lot to me, who doesn't know anything about lawyers, mind). Lawyer wrote a letter basically outlining why it would be a bad idea for my friend to suddenly lose her job, and other legaleze. She kept the job, but someone else in her lab was layed off instead. She is positive it would've been her otherwise.

One thing the lawyer told her and which would probably hold true in your case also, is that lawsuits take a long time. If you decide to fight this, be ready to find another job (in case they fire you, reduce your hours, or make work life hell) and be ready to wait a looong time before anything comes from this. Depressing I know, but I wish you luck.

[PepperElf]

i HATE those guys who think we can't lift anything cos we're girls.
that's when i pick up something they tell me is heavy and carry it anyway just to prove that they're being dumb.

it's not as if you're trying to lift a tractor.

[Kheldarson]

I used to work at a BSA camp summers. My first summer I had a coworker who refused to let me lift anything from soda syrup boxes to bundles of walking sticks to the wooden slabs which covered the windows because I was a girl. And the manager agreed with him... and manager was a woman. Took me all summer to prove to manager that I could do some of it.

Don't think it helped that guy was a football player....

[MystyGlyttyr]

I get this so often.

By the way, the method of proving how strong you are is not to grab the skinny little boy they've given the job to and hoist him up over your head. *cough*

Now here at the paper, there IS a good reason why they don't use me for most heavy lifting, in that it's not a part of my job description and if I get hurt while doing something like shoving desks around, there'd be a big liability issue. That's copasetic.

This sounds like boolsheet, though. I'd pin one of the managers down (maybe not literally, depends on the mood) and ask him for VERY specific reasons WHY you haven't been promoted. Get it in writing if at all possible. Then if he says you aren't doing something or can't do something or whatever that you clearly can, nail his ass to the wall. Just an idea.

[wagegoth]

My friend consulted a lawyer and paid a retainer to hire her on (around $1500 which seemed a lot to me, who doesn't know anything about lawyers, mind). Lawyer wrote a letter basically outlining why it would be a bad idea for my friend to suddenly lose her job, and other legaleze. She kept the job, but someone else in her lab was layed off instead. She is positive it would've been her otherwise.

If all the attorney did was right a letter, then your friend way overpaid. She should only have been billed for the time required to write the letter and any research time the attorney or his staff may have done. He is required by the bar association to submit an itemized billing stating where the money from the retainer was spent. If he didn't use all of the money, he is required to give it back.

I consulted with an attorney when I was having some issues over a disability leave. He charged me for his time and helped me write my own letters. All told, it cost me less than $300 (this was a few years ago), and I got my full leave without bringing in either the state or an attorney.

[Balgram]

IANAL, I am not providing legal advice, and sometimes NOT talking to companies until you spoke to a lawyer is a good idea, but here is my two cents anyway.
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They claim that women cannot lift, and thus cannot be on the floor. Huh. THAT'S not good. Did you get that in writing, esp. the "women" part? Make sure you know who you spoke to, as well.

Demand to know what the weight lifting requirement is, find out what number is so high to make them say that women cannot do it. If they give some crap number (200 lbs) request that the men on the floor demonstrate that they can lift it better than you. Besides, women tend to have greater lower body strength than men, even if they have less upper body strength (on average, and I'm not quoting medicine here). Since you should be lifting with your legs, the company's logic is illogical.

While slightly less relevant, this is still kinda interesting. Females are born stronger. (British Medical Journal 2000; 321:1609-1612) I realize that once testosterone kicks in this becomes moot, but it's still neat.

There's good sexism and bad sexism (too lazy to explain) but this just sounds like rude and dirty practice. I really wish you good luck resolving this.

[JustADude]

There's good sexism and bad sexism (too lazy to explain)

What, you mean like hot women getting into clubs faster?

Seriously, you've gotta explain that one.

[Jester]

It's fairly simple: Whatever the floor people have to lift -- so do the cashiers. If not, they're giving away a lot of free stuff! On top of that, the cashiers pick up what, 90% of all merchandise? Floor people (other than the stocking part) pick up what, 5%?

It's even simpler than that. Ask what the weight lifting requirement is for the floor people. In all likelihood, it's either not that much or (more likely) they really don't have an actual stated or written one. Then, if it is within your ability to lift it, prove it, and as someone else said, ask that they prove that the guys working the floor can also lift it.

The fact is, if they are just worried about women lifting stuff, well, there are a lot of women I have worked with who can lift whatever needs lifting. And I have worked with some men who were pussies, pure and simple.

I said it before and I'll say it again: this sound like a textbook case of sexual discrimination.

it's not as if you're trying to lift a tractor.

Hey, I don't know too many GUYS who can lift a tractor, unless it's a toy tractor!

[JustADude]

Hey, I don't know too many GUYS who can lift a tractor, unless it's a toy tractor!

Bah, lifting a tractor is EASY... if you use a sky-crane!

[iradney]

Hey, I don't know too many GUYS who can lift a tractor, unless it's a toy tractor!

I can lift a tractor....
Well, the back wheels about half an inch off the ground, but it counts!!!

The whole "women are weak, fragile flowers" train of thought seems to run rampant in the OP's company. Sometimes it's sweet (like when you're struggling down the stairs carrying a box as big as you are, and someone offers to help), but most of the time, it's outdated and a little insulting
*flexi flexi*

[Try to Fly]

update:

I haven't talked to a lawyer yet. I sorta mentioned off hand to my boss that I have a good sexual discrimination case if I so choose to go that way. So I was sorta on floor, but not really.

He decided that I need to prove myself. So he gave me three departments to run by myself. Not even the best floor employee has EVER been given that many departments by himself. Our store is huge, so that is a LOT. I then find out that the floor guys were all brand new. Great. So I had to cover for them too because they didn't know anything. I had to teach them how to run a RMU, a price tagger, and everything! My boss refused to give me a walkie because I am not a floor employee, so my name was called over the intercom every few seconds. The floor employees couldn't figure out how to work the phone (besides to page me), so I had to take all of their calls. Customers were mad at me taking so long. Some even thought I was the boss since they heard my name so much. I did all this while a being a back up checker.

My boss then called me wonder woman. I asked if he was going to move me, and he said he will think about it.

WTF! I did more work than anyone did tonight, yet he will think about it! I really need to quit!

[JLRodgers]

He decided that I need to prove myself. So he gave me three departments to run by myself.....

Well if that isn't something as obvious as the existence of the sun on a clear day that they just don't want women on the floor -- and do whatever they can to "prove" they're right

[PepperElf]

yeah i had one woman tell me i was going to destroy my ovaries because i lifted something "heavy".

i held my tongue cos i really wanted to tell her "i don't want to hear what backwater tales your momma told you." and that she was jsut saying that so she could be lazy and not pull her own weight.

in reality... if a woman lifts something too heavy there is a chance of pulling the lining away from the uterus wall if she's pregnant, or ripping something in the uterus in general.

however most women are not stupid and don't lift things that are too heavy to be lifted alone. that's when you get help or find another way to move the item.

i am thinking they're skeered to have a woman do a "man's job" or bs like that. that's stupid.

now if you're doing a LOT of lifting, i'd suggest one of those back-brace-vest things. that i see a lot of guys using.

[iradney]

He decided that I need to prove myself. So he gave me three departments to run by myself. Not even the best floor employee has EVER been given that many departments by himself. <snip>
My boss then called me wonder woman. I asked if he was going to move me, and he said he will think about it.

WTF! I did more work than anyone did tonight, yet he will think about it! I really need to quit!

Wow, overkill much? They want to be able to say "Well, we gave TTF a chance, but she just didn't cut the mustard."
THREE DEPARTMENTS? And then they don't even give you the necessary equipment? Along with covering for the noobs? Shoot, if I had a company, I'd hire you in a heartbeat

[JustADude]

My boss then called me wonder woman. I asked if he was going to move me, and he said he will think about it.

WTF! I did more work than anyone did tonight, yet he will think about it! I really need to quit!

No, you need to get witnesses and take it to the labor board and then a lawyer.

If they don't straighten up after the LB gets to them, sue them for back pay based on the average 'move time' for the guys, defamation for anything said out loud or written implying you're lesser than a male, hostile work environment (if applicable, IANAL), and anything else the lawyer says you have a good shot at.