Can Working Moms Thrive In Male-Dominated Jobs?
On the surface of things, gender equality in the workplace has come a long way. For moms, in particular, changes like flexible working and holiday pay have made it feel like the sky’s the limit. But, for many working moms who are out there trying to hold a job down, that so-called ‘progress’ can look a lot like false promises.
This is especially true for working moms in male-dominated fields like construction or the boardroom.
Flexible working might be an option in those areas, but many male colleagues may think less of you if you take it. Especially considering that most of them will have no idea of the second job that you have to work at home (aka, parenting!). For those men, whether they’re single or have a family, work probably comes first because they can afford it too.
These differences can lead to irrevocable issues that see moms pushed out of top positions time and again. But, there is a way for working moms to thrive in male-dominated positions, and we’re going to consider a few of them here.
Get the work done, and do it well
One way to prove your worth to your male colleagues despite the need for flexible hours is to simply get the work done in the time that you do spend in the office. After all, the main gripe about working moms is the argument that they leave early and let everyone pick up for them along the way. Don’t be that mom. Instead, use organization tips like to-do lists and proper planning (which we moms tend to be great at!), to complete your workload in the hours that you are in the office.
Make sure, too, that you’re completing these jobs to the highest standard that you can. After all, no one will be able to kick you out of the boardroom if you’re consistently closing deals. Equally, you can secure your place on any building site with a great handle on an expansive commercial construction glossary or general building know-how. Is it fair that moms have to work quicker and train harder to prove themselves? Not at all. But, you deserve this position as much as anyone. And these techniques will help you to prove it.
Be clear about availability upfront
A lot of working moms feel pressure to fully commit to both their work and home lives. In a male-dominated industry where your colleagues may consistently work late or over the weekend, you may especially feel the need to exaggerate your availability or agree to things that you just can’t manage. This is natural, but it’s perhaps a prime reason why male colleagues often complain about moms in the workplace.
After all, whatever your reasons for doing it, saying that you’ll be there and then not turning up, or leaving early, is incredibly unprofessional. As such, while you may worry about outlining shorter hours or consistently saying no to overtime, it’s typically better to do so unless you have reliable childcare. At least that way, your colleagues can know upfront what to expect from you and are less likely to grow frustrated or lose patience in any way that can actually get you fired.
Bring something new to the table
Too often, working moms find themselves overlooked in place of fresh, fully dedicated colleagues who can offer more time and energy to their roles. This makes some sense, but moms can still thrive in even male-dominated positions by simply bringing something new to the table. After all, there are some things that you can’t compromise on as a mom, such as your availability, but you still need to give your employer a reason to continue championing you despite them.
Something like securing a new group of clients, or providing great new product ideas, can help to cement your reputation within the office, building site, or wherever else. You can then ensure that your workday efforts extend to mean people work on your product idea, or communicate with the clients that you’ve found, even when you aren’t around. This will keep you in people’s minds at all times and should see people overlooking the smaller issue of you not being present for the last hour or so of the working day.
Choose the right employer
While a mom will realistically want the support of her entire team, a lot of whether or not she receives that will come down to her employer. After all, the easier that an employer makes it for you to do your work in a way that suits your needs, the better you’ll look to your team at large. By comparison, an employer who doesn’t provide you with that support can compromise your output, and general opinions about your abilities.
Generally speaking, working moms should seek an employer who champions flexible hours and family allowances, such as priority school break vacations. Increasingly of late, it’s also worth looking for an employer who allows you to work from home, as this can be a great option for completing your work even when the kids are home. Thanks to provisions like these, you should find that you’re able to produce great results which get the majority of your colleagues on-side, even in the most male-dominated industries.
Learn from the best
Even with your best efforts, thriving in a career that fits around parenthood can be hard, especially when there are still stories out there about the damage working moms do in the office or elsewhere. Luckily, when all else fails, finding your footing in any male-dominated industry can be as simple as considering the stories of the iconic women who have managed to do before you, such as –
- Sheryl Sandberg: Sheryl Sandberg is an inspiration to any career woman, but the fact that she’s also the mother of two children makes her (now former) position at Meta particularly impressive. After all, as well as providing extraordinary contributions to the typically male-led tech world, Sandberg continually pushed for policies like flexible working.
- Michelle Obama: Michelle Obama has done some amazing work in both the political and legal worlds (two very male-heavy industries). And, she’s done it all while raising her children who are her ‘most important legacy’.
- Kim Kardashian: Kim Kardashian is now a household name thanks to her role in the male-centric entertainment industry. As well as her reality television work, Kim now has her own underwear and makeup lines. And she also has four children to look after!
- Melinda Gates: As well as co-chairing the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda Gates is a business leader and philanthropist. She’s also an advocate for healthcare and education for women and children in developing countries. All of which she somehow balances alongside raising her three children.
Conclusion
Finding your footing as a female in a male world is difficult at any time in life. When you’re also a mother and the primary caregiver in your household, it becomes a lot harder. After all, you suddenly won’t be able to commit to the overtime that women too often have to endure to prove themselves, and you’ll also require more time off for things like school breaks and unwell children.
Whether you’re trying to make your mark in construction, tech, sales, or big business, any of these commitments could end up holding you back. Unless, of course, you put these points into action to prove your working worth regardless. After all, you might have to work slightly shorter hours than the rest of your team, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still achieve some amazing things.
