The 'not-so-little things'

The not-so-little things NAWIC and TDC Global have collaborated in a research study into the microaggressions affecting women within the construction.

More now than ever, women are being called to the construction industry as a place for them to grow, thrive and succeed, with workplaces offering flexible working arrangements, progressive policies, attractive wages and the promises of professional development.

However, we know that behind the scenes, the realities can be quite different.

A research study named The Not so Little Things Affecting Women in Construction was carried out to explore how organisations can better address and prevent microaggresions towards women.

With more than 650 respondents from a survey sent, and active listening sessions, the survey was open to anyone who wished to share their voice.

Microaggressions are seemingly small, indirect and subtle actions or statements that happen often and are widely felt by marginalised groups.

They can be as simple as insensitive statements, questions or assumptions that are strongly linked to unconscious bias in the aggressor.

On their own, they may seem little, but over time as they are added up, the impact is not-so-little.

When listening to the real-lived stories from women, these were the key takeaways:

Fear of retaliation: Women often refrain from addressing microaggressions due to the fear of retaliation or retribution. They worry about being labelled as difficult, unapproachable, or emotional, leading to potential isolation in the workplace.

Impacts on professional perception and progression: Microaggressions can negatively affect a woman's professional image and career progression. Speaking up can sometimes lead to fewer opportunities and can even be careerending in certain environments.