Ladies, how are you making your voice heard in the workplace?

Question

There is a lot of pure vitriol being posted about feminazi vs good ol' boy heritage, and all that jazz. But the truth remains that women still have a tough time in the workplace. I was wondering what steps real women out there are taking to ensure their ideas, contributions, and skills do not go unnoticed? Wouldn't that be far more productive than the useless whining that seems to dominate this forum? This can be a positive avenue to get women of all ages thinking about the roles they play, and how to advance. So, let's hear it How do you manage your career? How have you had to manage it differently than your male counterparts?

All right- let's hear it. How many people of either gender feel that they are getting paid to do nothing, as Shark asserts women are doing? I am very relieved that the care and nurturing I have given my career, and the work I have put into it, don't mean anything at all because I'm not actually "working". Interesting way to describe my 60 hour a week hobby! How about the rest of you?

For myself, I have found that I had to challenge stereotypes, and I need to keep files of my accomplishments. I support all of my employee recommendations and reviews with facts, and keep e-mail files for problem-solving discussions where I was key. I have learned to drop ideas where others could pick them up and run with them as their "own". I have learned to leverage the right people to back me up when necessary, and I have learned to say "no" to my boss, my employee, and the president of my company. I have had to learn the art of timing. I also have learned to look and dress my best at all times, in order to be taken seriously. I have learned to confront people in private and in public. I have also learned how to demand help. None of these skills came naturally, and I often get told I am too "masculine" or "ambitious", and that no man would want me. Oh well. I serve a higher power, not men.

Answer 1

I scream and yell! :))) OK, I am kidding. Personally, I have no boundaries to raise my voice if I really feel injured. I do not hesitate to offer my ideas and to defend my position when I am right and competent. But, the other way round, I do respect my colleagues who are more competent or more experienced in certain projects than me, no matter whether they are men or women and I am ready to give them priority. The most important thing for me is that, at my workplace, I never act as a woman, but only as a professional, colleague, team member and friend and I am really closed to any kind of machism, flirt, blackmailing or sexual manipulation. Although I can say that I am a good looking, I was usually avoiding male bosses who pay too much attention on how does woman look. I believe that such an attitude helped me to control my professional life and to have no bad experiences.

Answer 2

I am the boss so when things go very badly, I yell a lot.
No not really, but I am th owner of a small company, and the way my work doesn't go unnoticed is I do excellent work and I expect the same from my employees.
I they are having a rough go of it, I talk with them, try to get to the bottom of the problem try to figure out how to move past the glitch, take action and get back to the job at hand.

Answer 3

Im retired now but worked for one company 32 yrs.

I never had any difficulty. In addition to being intelligent I was also a hard worker who believed in doing the best I could. I volunteered for many projects & did them well. For example I volunteered to train several classes which were 13 wks in length with one other instructor. I also volunteered to speak at seminars. I did whatever I could to stretch myself and, consequently, I earned the respect of my peers as well as my superiors & received many promotions.

I didn't gossip or complain. If I had a concern I discussed it with my supervisor in a calm & reasonable manner. I didn't spend co time on personal phone calls over 5 min in length (& then only when necessary). I worked overtime if asked. In other words, I was intent on being an asset to the co.

Answer 4

During our last meeting about some project (I can't remember what) I started whining about this. I said, "ensure my ideas, contributions and skills do not go unnoticed". Well actually it was more like, "ENSURE MY IDEAS, CONTRIBUTIONS AND SKILLS DO NOT GO UNNOTICED CRANKS!!!" (I'm a strong woman, some people are threatened).

Anyway, when I didn't get the result I wanted I whined about it to my employer and to the equal opportunity commission.

And I charged some coworkers with sexual harassment.

Answer 5

Maybe if women did some actual work instead of "making their voices heard" then they would be able to get as much done as men and therefore be able to earn as much.