Women made up only 10.3 percent of construction sector professionals in 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When it comes to women working on construction sites, the figure drops dramatically: only 1%. The remaining 9.3 percent of workers were employed in an office setting.
Despite these discrepancies, several businesses have taken initiatives to make the field more accessible to women.
Gender Inequality in Construction
The data above show that there is considerable gender discrepancy in the construction business – but why is this so?
Here are some of the most typical difficulties that prevent female job hopefuls from entering this field.
The construction sector is filled with stereotypes.
In most people's views, the construction sector is still primarily male. Part of the reason for this is that males are physically larger, thus it is assumed that they are more suited for physical labor.
Understandably, this prevents women from pursuing careers in such fields. This viewpoint is out of date, as most of the construction industry has become mechanized and computerized, rendering physical strength and size obsolete. Nonetheless, the impression continues.
Parents, teachers, and classmates who do not promote them.
Parents seldom encourage their daughters to pursue a profession in construction.
They create preconceptions that naturally prevent women from pursuing careers in this field. Another concern is the industry's apparent lack of flexibility.
Parents and professors may steer female students away from the construction industry because they believe it does not provide opportunities for promotion and professional growth.
Gender discrimination in the workplace.
As previously stated, there is significant gender imbalance in the construction business.
The majority of construction workers are males, which has consequences for how women are treated on these sites.
Women may fear harassment or sexism on construction sites since they are in the minority. The fear of failure may deter people from entering the sector.
Statistics of Women in Construction
According to the BLS figures referenced above, women made up around 10.3 percent of the construction business in 2020. 86.7 percent of these women work in offices, whereas just 2.5 percent of craftsmen are female:
- 45% of women in the construction industry are in sales and office positions.
- 31% are in management.
- 21% are in maintenance.
- 1.4% are truck drivers.
There is also a salary disparity between men and women in the construction business. At first sight, it does not appear noteworthy.
In the United States, women earn 99.1 percent of what males earn in the construction business. Closer scrutiny, however, reveals major systemic irregularities. As an example:
- In the construction sector, African American women earn just 81 cents for every dollar earned by white males.
- In the industry, Hispanic / Latino women earn 72.3 percent of what Hispanic / Latino men earn and 53.3 percent of what white males earn.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does offer some encouraging signs. While women controlled just 13% of construction enterprises in 2014, there was a 64% rise in female proprietors from 2014 to 2019.
Furthermore, compared to the industry average of 8%, 9 percent of these women-owned construction enterprises earned at least $500,000 each year.
Women in Construction Face Difficulties
Despite the greatest efforts of certain business, women in the business continue to confront substantial hurdles. Here are some typical instances.
The construction business is dominated by men.
Despite the efforts of many construction businesses to recruit more women, the sector as a whole remains disproportionately male-dominated. It is not uncommon for a woman to be the lone female on a construction site.
Lifting needs and machinery designed for men.
Some areas of building need physical strength, making them more suited to persons who can handle heavy lifting.
As a result, many job descriptions include what are known as "lift requirements." These limits are vital for safety, but they have the unintended consequence of excluding some women.
The good news is that occupations requiring lifts account for a modest percentage of all available occupations.
Harassment of women.
When norms of decorum are broken on the job, it can lead to uncomfortable and improper (or even downright harassing) things being said to or about the women on the job.
Toilets are shared.
Women may be unaccustomed to working on construction sites. They may have shared toilets, locker rooms, or other amenities for males exclusively.
Inadequate safety equipment.
To be effective, most safety equipment must fit snugly. In a male-dominated location, however, the majority of such attire and gear will be in men's sizes, leaving women with enormous equipment that inhibits their ability to do job comfortably and properly.
The Advantages of Women in Construction
Despite all of the obstacles that women encounter in the construction business, there are several documented benefits to recruiting female labor.
For starters, it increases the profitability and competitiveness of your company. According to a McKinsey & Co. analysis, gender-diverse organizations are 25% more likely to generate above-average profitability.
Furthermore, construction firms with more female line executives than staff executives performed better financially than those that did not.
According to this statistics, there is a financial incentive for more women to work in trade and leadership roles in the construction business.
How to Increase the Number of Women in the Industry
So, how can we encourage more women to work in the construction industry? Here are a few ideas to aid in the endeavor.
Avoid Working in Dangerous Environments
While lifting requirements will continue to be a barrier for women seeking to enter the construction industry, firms may use heavy machines to close the gap.
The gender of the operator has no bearing on the effectiveness of heavy machinery operation.
Furthermore, businesses might make an effort to supply women's-sized work attire and safety equipment.
Contractor insurance may help construction organizations improve the safety of their workers, both male and female. General liability insurance is one of several forms of insurance available to construction enterprises. Workers' compensation insurance, on the other hand, is the most vital for protecting employees.
Identify and Address Unconscious Bias in Recruitment
As previously stated, there are societal preconceptions and conceptions about the construction sector. As a result, recruiters in the construction business may have a subconscious prejudice while hiring.
Companies that want to hire more women may do everything they can to combat such prejudices. More women should be on recruiting teams, and diversity training should be included in all construction businesses' training. These actions can assist employees in becoming more conscious of their prejudices.
Provide Workplace Policies That Are Family-Friendly
Women might be attracted to the construction industry by establishing family-friendly work practices. These regulations are critical for women because they create a more welcoming and secure workplace. Some examples of such policies are as follows:
- Employees with families that have flexible time policies may be able to work around their family commitments.
- Job sharing can also assist to alleviate some of the pressures that women face at work. Job sharing entails two or more employees sharing a position, with one filling in for the other when familial commitments or problems occur.
- Employee benefit packages should include maternity, paternity, and parental leave. These allow employees to take time off to attend to family duties without fear of losing their employment.
- Employee education tuition assists women in improving their abilities and, as a result, their promotion opportunities. A successful business emphasizes internal promotion and training.
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