“It Made Me Feel Like I Was A Joke”: 23YO Quits $116K Job After Male Co-Workers’ Degrading Comments

A young woman was forced to leave her dream job in construction after enduring degrading comments from men.

Tavia Lynn always knew she wanted to be in the construction industry. “I got into construction because I enjoy creating things,” she told news.com.au. “It helped me feel peace being able to see my progress instantly and the results after each day of hard work.”

The first negative reaction came from a family member, who “laughed in [Tavia’s] face” and told her she wouldn’t be “taken seriously” at the workplace.

Determined to prove him wrong, the woman persisted in her ambitions. By 19, she had already started her own renovation business, teaching herself skills through YouTube tutorials.

Tavia Lynn, 23, said she quit her job in construction due to unwanted comments from men

Smiling young woman with gold earrings and sleek hair, representing a 23-year-old quitting $180k job over gross comments.

Image credits: itzjusttavia.xx / Instagram

Within two months, she’d made an impressive A$30,000 (approx. $19,500) and was on track to earn around A$180,000 (approx. $116,800) in a single year, Tavia told the outlet.

“I was doing everything from professional painting and refinishing cabinets to trim and flooring,” she said. “I loved it.”

23-year-old woman sitting in red car interior, holding phone, symbolizing quitting $180k job over gross comments from men.

Image credits: itzjusttavia.xx / Instagram

Despite her love for the business, Tavia soon faced a situation that became difficult to tolerate. She said different men, some as old as 60, would try to flirt with her on the job.

The 23-year-old recalled one of them telling her, “You’re getting paid all this money just to look pretty. You’re just here as eye candy.”

“It made me feel like I was a joke and that nobody was taking me seriously,” she expressed.

Tavia, who now works as a model, started a renovation business when she was 19

Young woman in a gray sleeveless outfit holding a phone, representing a 23-year-old quitting a $180k job over gross comments.

Image credits: itzjusttavia.xx / Instagram

Tavia said she had to deal with her male co-workers “making comments about my a**” or constantly “making all the talk at work s*xual.”

The woman suspects they even created group chats specifically to discuss her appearance.

Young woman smiling in a sleeveless outfit after quitting $180k job due to gross comments from men at work

Image credits: itzjusttavia.xx / Instagram

Comment from Gary Hankinson questioning how a woman learned construction skills from YouTube amid job challenges.

Additionally, one of the men, whom Tavia considered a friend, questioned why she had chosen to work in a male-dominated industry, telling her it wasn’t the right place for her.

“He asked if I really wanted to do manual labor for the rest of my life, and he said, ‘If I looked as hot as you, I would not be doing this,” she recounted.

“I was doing everything from professional painting and refinishing cabinets to trim and flooring,” she said

Young woman at a party posing confidently in a bold dress, highlighting themes of quitting job over gross comments from men.

Image credits: itzjusttavia.xx / Instagram

Young woman with long blonde hair in a white top, surrounded by string lights, reflecting on quitting $180k job over comments.

Image credits: itzjusttavia.xx / Instagram

Tired of constant unwanted comments from men about her looks or profession, Tavia decided to leave the industry.

According to her Instagram bio, she now works as a model, entrepreneur, and artist. Last year, she walked the runway at Las Vegas Swim Week.

The Women in Construction ‘Have Your Say’survey, which received 1,792 responses, found that 65% of women felt they needed to work harder than men to receive the same recognition. Also, more than half of respondents (53%) across all company sizes and locations reported experiencing s*xual harassment at work.

However, men questioned why she was at the job and told her she was there as “eye candy”

Young woman in a red dress posing confidently indoors after quitting $180k job due to gross comments from men

Image credits: itzjusttavia.xx / Instagram

Earlier this year, a Sydney worker named Shianne Foxx sparked a heated debate after claiming she was denied the chance to work in a bikini.

Shianne, who was employed as a landscaper and had previously worked in the mines, called out what she described as a “double standard” in the industry. Working in 40°C (104°F) heat, she said she wanted to perform her tasks topless, just like her male counterparts.

However, she was reportedly told by her boss that she couldn’t, as it would be a “distraction” to others.

23-year-old woman taking a mirror selfie after quitting $180k job due to gross comments from men in workplace.

Image credits: itzjusttavia.xx / Instagram

“It was such a hot day. Obviously when you work in the industry, lots of the boys have their tops off,” she told news.com.au. “I thought it was only fair if I could get mine off too. I have no shame in getting my b**bs out.”

Shianne argued that her body shouldn’t be considered “distracting” because breasts are “just a natural thing.”

“If you’re going to be childish and feel like they’re going to be distracting, then you should just grow up,” she added.

Tavia ultimately quit the job, which she said made her feel like a “joke”

23-year-old woman with blonde hair and makeup, sitting in a car after quitting a $180k job over gross comments from men

Image credits: itzjusttavia.xx / Instagram

Young woman posing confidently wearing white sheer outfit, reflecting resilience after quitting job over gross comments from men.

Image credits: itzjusttavia.xx / Instagram

The woman, who has dubbed herself the Bikini Tradie, has been working in male-dominated jobs for the last four years.

Unlike many other women in her industry, Shianne said she hasn’t experienced catcalling by her male co-workers. “From my experience, if you just go in there with your head held high and if you don’t let men have it over you (…) they won’t do anything,” she said, encouraging women to “stand [their] ground.”

Netizens commented on Tavia’s story and the reasons she decided to quit the job

Screenshot of a social media comment about ongoing sexual harassment and shame in the workplace addressing gross comments from men.

Comment by Jurai Negus about valuing a peaceful and inclusive workplace over money in a professional discussion.

A social media comment praising a woman’s bravery after quitting a $180k job due to gross comments from men.

Comment from user about woman quitting $180k job over gross comments and being laughed at despite self-taught skills.

Screenshot of a social media comment stating not a qualified tradie but a YouTube tradie, related to a woman quitting job over gross comments.

Screenshot of a comment about a woman quitting her $180k job after receiving gross comments from men.

Social media comment by Marc AndThat expressing concern about how upcoming generations are wired, with emojis.

Screenshot of a Facebook comment mentioning OnlyFans in response to a discussion about a 23-year-old woman quitting her job.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing a 23-year-old woman quitting her $180k job over gross comments from men.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing challenges faced by a woman in a male-dominated construction industry.

Screenshot of a social media comment about life, related to a 23-year-old woman quitting $180k job over gross comments.

Comment on social media post about earning 180k at age 23, highlighting reaction to high salary.

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