How do I get taken seriously when I work with all men?

Question

I hope they didn't hire me because I was blond. I get menial task like serving coffee. I want more.

Answer 1

Darken your hair, add a tint of gray, look em straight in the eye and tell them to bring you some coffee, then send them back three times because it is not to your liking.

Answer 2

I was in the Navy for four years so I know exactly what you mean. First, were you hired for menial tasks like being a coffee fetcher? If you were, you may need to put in your time before you can start asking for more responsibility. If you were hired for more, than I'd start asking some hard questions of your employers, such as, "Why am I always given these menial tasks?" Could be sexism, could be they don't realize that they're doing it. Either way you should bring it to their attention. I'm sure your employer doesn't want a lawsuit on his hands.

Answer 3

Any man who treats a women like that is a rude jerk living in the past, and to answer your question next time they ask you to do some stupid menial task like getting coffee say no that is not what i was hired to do, and if they ask you to pick something up off of the ground for them then they are just a sick minded person so avoid them as much as possible. good luck

Answer 4

First of all, I'm a man. However, I'm gay, so I know a bit about discrimination.

The one thing you've left out is what your position is? Are you an executive, or are you a secretary/administrative assistant? If it's the latter, menial tasks usually come with the territory -- regardless of gender [I was an admin asst for years back in my temping days].

But if your job is higher on the responsibility scale than secretary, you're within your rights to put your foot down. Believe me, I know what straight men in power can be like, but if you show that you're strong and confident, they'll respect you more. Your "wanting more" is not sufficient -- you have to courteously but firmly make your wants known and gently but firmly insist that they be met.

Answer 5

What did they hire you to do? If your job is to be an assistant /receptionist, they probably did hire you b/c you are blonde and you are there just as eye candy. If you were hired as their equal, then refuse to get coffee and seek more responsibilty without asking permission. Don't go around and ask if someone needs help, bur rather just do things that you see need to be done and let them know that you are capable of doing them. If you are unhappy, why not search for another job or go back to school?

Answer 6

I'm an admin. assistant and work in a male dominated office. My first day on the job one of them told me that I need to make the coffee. I told him that I don't do coffee. I don't drink it and therefore I won't make it nor will I clean up the mess.

You pretty much have to stand up for yourself. Or fix something that really frustrates the men in the office. You do that and you will have them eating out of your hand so-to-speak.
In my case, its computers. Most of the guys in the office aren't very computer literate, even the one with the computer tech degree. They realized real quick that I can get them out of a jam faster than the office manager (only other computer literate person in the office) who isn't necessarily willing to help because of his work load. The only reason they found out...one of them started cursing at the computer, gave up and went out for a smoke. While he was out there I fixed his computer. This guy's officemate saw me come in there and sit down in front of the busted computer. He asked me what I was doing, I told that I was going to fix it. Know what he said? "You're a girl. You can't fix it because women don't know anything about computers." That pissed me off, so I fixed it. You should have seen the look on that guy's face. lol. Right before I left...I looked him right in the eye and said "I also fix cars." He almost fainted at that. lol
Anyway...anytime these guys have computer problems I become the most popular person in the office. lol

Answer 7

You're not giving us enough to go on. What type of business/industry? What size is the company? What is your specific position SUPPOSED to be? Did you get a written job description? What's the demographic breakdown of the company - especially the people you come in contact with every day? How EXACTLY does your current experiece differ from what you expected it to be?

I could think of a bunch more questions - but I think you get the point. To get a good answer - we need a thorough questions.

Hang in there.

Answer 8

This is not a matter of working with men or women. I think it is a matter of being conscious about your identity in life. Who you really are? A blonde young woman who wants to be taken seriously by men? Usually this is the 2nd step, after “I want to be nice and be acceptable by men”… All I’ m trying to say is that if you are conscious about what or whom you like (and mainly why) you will not have to worry about “be taken seriously”. Be serious and let people be unhappy with it, it is not your problem how to please them!

Answer 9

What were you employed to do? You should ask for a job description if you dont know already. I work in a male dominated business and am equal on all levels except that they assume I will always make the tea/coffee! I'm with you on that as it pisses me off, but I tell them!

Answer 10

I work with all men too in a male dominated office doing a "rough" job. I don't wear make-up, don't dress scantily and avoid doing any serious flirting. If you play up your female role and attributes you'll be more of an object than a coworker. If you need to, quit your job and find one in a field where women are taken more seriously.