Denise Chevin
There are more women on FTSE 350 boards than ever before – 26.1% at FTSE 100 companies and 19.6% at FTSE 250 firms.
The Church of England has ordained six women bishops; and we now have our second female prime minister. What a state of affairs then that when it comes to running construction sites the job would seem to still be the preserve of men.
As we report, this year’s Construction Manager of the Year Award has no female finalists on the short list in any of the categories – not surprising as not one woman entered.
Why is that? A modest reluctance to draw attention to themselves would certainly appear to be a factor. But also, there’s still a clear lack of women candidates at the highest level. Anecdotally, more women are coming in to the sector – but not enough are staying long enough to progress to the prime jobs that will land them the coveted title of Construction Manager of the Year and often a step into management.
Contractors talk a good game on gender. But the reality is that unless site practices are radically overhauled to get away from the dawn till dinner culture, little can change. The arguments for unlocking the site gates early has been well rehearsed – but does the person in charge have to always be there at the same time?
Greater flexibility in working would be good for all – we’re constantly told that it is non-negotiable amongst millennials, who also crave a greater work life balance. So, please, can one company do the right thing and show others the way forward?
Denise Chevin, editor
How would unlocking the site gates early work when most inner city sites have restrictions imposed on the hours of work?
I am really disappointed with this article. It just reinforces the belief of the majority that your organisation are only interested in the major contractor issues.
As a result of a number of factors including competitive tendering, clients who are uninterested in site welfare and contractor’s commercial departments that pressurise Site Management into accepting what budgets are available for site establishment, site conditions continue to remain pretty grim for all genders not just women.
Additionally your ascertation that all women are blessed with a modest reluctance therefore implying that all men, particularly finalists in the CMYA are big headed loud mouths!
Poor, lazy journalism.
Let’s keep to the facts. Whatever our views might be on the journalism, or the comment above for that matter, clearly CMYA has gone backwards. Not necessarily the CIOBs fault here either. Simply arguing that it’s bad out there and there’s nothing we can do is ridiculous. Time for industry to stand up on this and be counted, and make positive change. New entrants to the industry need exemplar relevant role models to inspire and spur them on. Time for the men in grey suits to stand aside!
If I were a construction manager I wouldn’t enter these awards, not after last year.
The entertainment at the CMYA awards evening, and at the Hammers (Construction Computing Awards) both of which I reported on here (http://www.justpractising.com/events/sexism-in-construction-awards-not-just-a-joke/) were an acknowledged mistake, and there was an apology from the organisers at both events. But these incidences represent something a lot more significant going on in the industry.
Plenty of young women are joining the industry, and a lot of money is being pumped into the process of recruiting them. But why aren’t women staying in construction? It’s what they find when they get there, and as they begin to progress in their careers.
In order to change this some serious soul searching has to happen. Some difficult home truths have to be accepted and steps have to be taken to change. A year isn’t going to cut it, but there are things that the awards can do. Some suggestions were made in my post last November: http://www.justpractising.com/events/sexism-at-construction-awards-a-follow-up/
When I was a teenager I met an inspirational Sikh teacher through my father’s work. He suggested that we should all wear a badge saying ‘Racism is My Problem’. Perhaps we need one for sexism too.
I had a dream; Construction awards. Winners are all women but none of them showed up at the award dinner. They all sent some great excuses.
Thanks for the award but tonight I had my three kids to look after.
Thanks for the great recognition I am overwhelmed, apologies for not been there but I have a lot of family commitments to balance out and awards are not what I consider a priority in life.
Great! Thank you so much. You need to accept my apologies for not sharing this with you but I don’t fancy spending an evening with a bunch of guys who thinks I don’t deserve this award and I got it out of luck.
Oh great I am ecstatic! Sorry for not being there but I did not fancy spending the evening drinking terrible wine while explaining why I choose a career where I get reminded everyday I am out of place.
And here my question; Is an award a reward?