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50 Examples Of Men Lacking Basic Life Skills And Expecting Their Female Coworkers To Cover For Them
Despite women flooding into the workforce over the last half of the century, a lot of places have remained stuck in the business-as-usual past, promoting the traditional bro culture, and not really adapting to the women joining their ranks.
So when Redditor u/newmama1991 recently made a post on the platform, asking its users to share the "female duties" they've been told to do at work, examples of rage-inducing sexism immediately came flying their way.
Luckily, at least some of these stories ended in refusals to put up with this crap. But we can (and need to) do better, folks!
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#1
I was asked to clean the men's toilets, as they were a mess. I said loudly that the men could clean their own toilets, there's nothing about that job that requires a vagina. Total silence for a minute as everyone stared in disbelief at me, and the next week the boss hired a cleaner
Mad Dragon 3 years ago
Men’s bathrooms are disgusting! If it’s not her job, she shouldn’t be cleaning anyone’s toilets!
Jordi Sharpe 3 years ago
Women's washrooms can be just as awful. I used to clean the bathrooms at Linens 'n Things in the 00s and the worst clean ups were in the Women's washrooms. Between used feminine products being tossed on the floor to the s**t on the stall walls, it was awful. Men and women are equally capable of bathroom malfeasance. That being said, everyone should learn to clean a bathroom.
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Sekrets 3 years ago
For anybody who has not been in a public male restroom. There's a 99% chance there's pee all over the floor by the urinal. I've often pondered if we males have some terrible aimers or just giggle to themselves knowing everybody has to stand in their pee to do their business.
Poeha 3 years ago
I guess the 2nd. My boys love to p**s on and over the toilet. Can you aim better??? I sat in it!! They think that's hilarious.
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Deborah B 3 years ago
If I were not the cleaner/janitor, I would be LIVID to be asked to clean the loos. (Unless all staff did it in rotation, of course)
Jennifer Lee 3 years ago
I would never accept being asked to clean a toilet as part of a rotation with other employees. That's what a cleaning service is for.
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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 3 years ago
One of the places I worked at had one of those absolutely disgusting "Waterless Urinals" in the employee bathroom. When the discussion of cleaning it came up, I was adamant that none of the female employees should EVER have to deal with it. And I meant it.
DKS 001 3 years ago
we should charge men $8 for everything men refuse to do because it's "women's work". You know, like Twitter ... but $8 a pop
XenoMurph 3 years ago
I think you just invented employment. But with gendered roles.
Load More Replies... Not Bored 3 years ago
Truth be told. It wasn't her job. And I've always heard Woman's washrooms are nasty
Kezz 3 years ago
As a cleaner who cleans a couple of hundred toilets a week I can say both male and female loose are equally disgusting 🤢
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RELATED:
#2
For potluck team lunch women were expected to cook something and get and men were excused to simply buy drinks, deserts etc. I said no f*****g way I am cooking for other men when they are excused. And I said this loudly infront of whole team when all of us were discussing. Immediately men in the team volunteered, simple easy salads, getting some snacks etc. Why was this not a norm before I joined team, no idea. But manager took notice of this and started getting other men to involve in arrangements and clean up etc. Work was not left for all women.
Fast forward I have my own company now. And still I have to fight off misogyny so many times. The suppliers, distributors, all talk to my husband as he is the man and many times dont even look at me when I am in same meeting. I dont react really. I let meeting happen and after an hour I simply get up and say thanks for coming but we wont be going ahead working with you. They look at my husband and he just shrugs and say well she is the boss. The look on their face is worth wasting an hour. And if they try to arm wrestle me then they get an earful of how awful they were at the meeting.
DKS 001 3 years ago
at a potluck at work once, the manager told all the women to line up to server the food before getting anything for themselves. No joke.
TheEndIsNigh🇨🇦and🇬🇧in🇺🇲 3 years ago
I guess where I used to work was pretty progressive because the men always brought food in for gatherings without having to be asked. And, they enjoyed talking about "secret ingredients" and how the dish was made, so we knew the wives/SO's didn't make it for them. The men even had a "chili cook-off" one year, it was great.
Salty Baritone 3 years ago
Fast forward what, 50 years? I’ve always cooked or prepared some food for functions and I’m nearly 40.
El MasChingon 3 years ago
I don't participate in potlucks at work i don't join in on the food or contributing to it, I just do what i always do and that's bring my own lunch. this lady sounds like a pain in the a*s why did she have to cuss and cause a scene in a professional setting, I just kindly decline joining in
u/newmama1991 said that the idea for the post came when they noticed someone clean out the fridge at their job and wondered if she was asked to do so. "She wasn't," they told Bored Panda.
The Redditor is from the Netherlands, and they think that "we are really fortunate because women's rights are strongly secured in our laws and values. Despite that, there is still a considerable wage gap. Also, the gap between the rich and poor is increasing rapidly due to the housing and energy crisis here. Equal access to opportunities (in work or otherwise) is nowhere near what we strive for."
#3
Once in a male dominated office environment, I was asked by an older senior level manager to send a fax. I was in a higher level position myself, but I said “sure” and did it for him. The next time I needed a fax sent, I went over to him and asked if he would send it for me. He eyed me, then got up and sent it. We were great pals after that!
Jennifer Critchley 3 years ago
I love that they became great pals afterwards! Sometimes people aren't aware of the mistakes they make!
Jo Slatermill 3 years ago
I was an only male in a department and when the fax ran out of paper I was asked to go upstairs and bring a few stacks of paper down. I said I'm busy but they insisted. and I said is it cuz I'm a man so I should carry the "heavy stuff"? and the (female) manager got upset and held a grudge for me until I couldn't take it anymore and left 2 months later.
Fell Ripley(she, they, potato) 3 years ago
Sexism goes the other way around too.
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Salty Baritone 3 years ago
So this isn’t a story about lacking skills in men, it’s a story of men and women experiencing equality? 🤦♂️
Michelle C 3 years ago
Thankfully, he learned from the experience! If only we could all treat each other this way!
JE Cummings 3 years ago
If a man is an intrinsically decent person, he won't get mad when you point out his micro-misogyny, and he'll change his outlook, sometimes quite a lot.
tl gmc 3 years ago
I'm not even sure if this one should be here. Depends on how it was asked, if I'm in the office I've sent Fax for coworkers and they've ran programs or sent fax for me. Both male and female
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MelFunction 3 years ago
The first company I worked, I couldn't get the fax machine to send a fax. I asked the first person I saw for help. He graciously helped me. I found out later that he was the CEO. What a lovely man he was :D Lucky for me.
#4
I own a business and have two male employees and three female employees. I found out that one of the male employees was leaving his dishes in the sink, and the three female employees were doing them when they did their own. All of them are very young. I flat out told the girls to stop doing the dishes for anyone but themselves and during a staff meeting reminder everyone to wash and dry their own dishes and put them away. The next week my guy leaves dishes in the sink. He’s about to clock out, and I pull him aside and ask if those dishes in the sink are his. He says they are. I look him dead in the eye and ask who he expects is going to wash them if he clocks out and leaves them. He stared at me in silence for a full minute before the realization hits him that he doesn’t actually know. He went and did his dishes and I haven’t had a problem with it since. But damn.
Na Schi 3 years ago
This! Those type of people simply assume that things get done magically or by little gnoms nobody's ever seen. There are also some (mostly) males on our floor who leave their dishes simply uncleaned in the sink (not even to bother to put them into the dishwasher!) and then there are a few women who complain every time when seeing this... to start then to put the dishes in the dishwasher or clean them otherwise (just as the good housewives/caregivers they've been taught to be /s). It's sad... really. I for myself, leave those dishes were they are and I wouldn't bother if they start to rot or we're running out of dishes (got my personal ones in a cupboard anyway). The only thing that grind my gears if those women try to animate other women (mind you never men) to help to clean after others and have the audacity to look annoyed and disappointed if I simply refuse.
Fell Ripley(she, they, potato) 3 years ago
I think that the assumption that things will magically be done for you comes from parents always cleaning up your messes, and never having chores.
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SheamusFanFrom1987 3 years ago
Not sure why a guy can't wash his own dishes though. I suck at cooking (still pretty much learning) so I'm basically the dishwasher guy at home.
Jordi Sharpe 3 years ago
My roommate often leaves dishes for a few days. I refuse to do them for him. He does eventually get to them, but as someone who does their dishes right away, its annoying. He's an adult. If it ever gets to the point where I cannot use the sink area, I'll take all his dishes, put the in a garbage bag and hang them from his doorknob. I'm nobody's f*****g maid.
Deborah B 3 years ago
I had a house mate like this in uni. Dishes in the sink, every single time. I took them out of the sink, and put them back in his cupboard, still dirty, because we all had our own dishes, so why not? He gave up and got paper plates, so total commitment on the no dishwashing front.
Lena Flising 3 years ago
At my workplace, there are signs by the sinks in all lunch-areas that say "Your momma doesn't work here. Take care of your dirty dishes yourself.". If you are really lazy, you can leave them on the restaurant's conveyor-belt leading to the dish-washing room. A few still leave the dishes in the sink, apparently can't be bothered to move them to the conveyor-belt.
El MasChingon 3 years ago
wait what do you mean do there dishes? don't people take their Tupperware home with them before they leave I know I don't leave my containers at work this seem very odd to me like are you guy's cooking there and using company dishes to eat on?
#5
unload the dishwasher. the company owner told me to, specifically cause i'm a woman.
a guy coworker was with me and instantly started doing it. i love him.
Cookie 3 years ago (edited)
He didn't help her. She didn't do anything as it was not her duty.
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Aileen Grist 3 years ago
My husband hates anyone touching 'his' dishwasher. Apparently he's the only one that knows how to stack it properly. That's fine by me.
Ruth Harper 3 years ago
My dad's the same. Growing up, my mom mostly cooked, though sometimes dad did too. My sister and I set the table and did various other chores. But dishes were always dad's domain.
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Kayla Black 3 years ago
This is why I don't use the dishwasher at my male dominated workplace. (Firstly I don't know how) or the coffee machine. I bring my own cutlery, mug, bowl, instant coffee, milk etc. Do my own dishes by hand. Then if a kitchen appliance needs tending to or cleaning it's not me because I don't even use the thing
John Dilligaf 3 years ago
do offices and other non-restaurant workplaces really come with dishwashers these days?
Naesil 🇫🇮 3 years ago
Here its very common, I think every office I have worked in have had dishwasher and basic food preparation stuff. Even when there is on site restaurant where you can go eat lunch, bunch of people prefer to bring their own food.
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JE Cummings 3 years ago
I once had a co-worker claim (seriously!) that I should be the one to make the office coffee for our staff meetings. I was the only woman in the office at that time and he wanted it put into my job description. I told him I wouldn't make coffee unless he wanted a really poor cup of coffee, and if he wanted good coffee(?) go to the Starbucks across the street. Then I ignored him.
And u/newmama1991 has a point. While individual characteristics such as education, working time, occupational segregation, skills, or experience explain part of the gender pay gap, the International Labour Organization (ILO) says that a large part is due to discrimination based on one's gender or sex.
On average, women globally are paid about 20 percent less than men, and they have been among the worst affected by the pandemic, including in terms of income security, representation in sectors hardest hit, and gendered division of family responsibilities. This has negatively impacted their employment and threatened to reverse decades of progress made toward gender equality.
#6
Oh god. I used to work in out of home care; basically caring for kids who had been removed from their families.
One day a 15 year old asked the other (male) person on shift to bake him a frozen pizza. Now this kid was detoxing and easily heightened, so we were supposed to be doing everything possible to keep him calm.
My co-worker asks me to cook the pizza. I tell him the instructions are on the box. Dude keeps looking at the pizza, looking at me… I get up and leave the room.
A while later he calls me in to ask me whether the pizza’s done. I tell him to check. He says he doesn’t know whether it’s ready. I ask him why I would have any more of an idea and he says “because you’re a woman”.
I tell him in no uncertain terms “I am not your wife. It is not my job to tell you whether a pizza is ready. Figure it out yourself. It’s part if your job.” and go off to write a report to his manager.
FakeOptimist 3 years ago
Totally agree he should be written up. You are preparing kids to live in the 21st century. Apart from that : anyone should know how to prepare frozen pizza, basic self-care.
Joe Reaves 3 years ago
Seems it's not the kids who have a problem here. The kid had no problem assuming a man would be just as able to cook a frozen pizza as a woman. Apparently they need to be teaching the STAFF to live in the 21st century! lol
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LittleMissPanda 3 years ago
Small side note - even if you were his wife, still not your job to tell when pizza is ready ;)
Lena Flising 3 years ago
Funnily enough, we women aren't born with the knowledge how to cook and clean, iron or wash clothes or dishes. We are taught this, so boys and men can be taught too. Some men say women can't handle machines. If so, we wouldn't be able to handle dishwashers, washing-machines, stoves and ovens, irons, etc.
Biliegh they/them 3 years ago (edited)
When me and my ex-husband split, I literally had to tell him to teach the kids how to do laundry, cook etc. He had no idea kids could do such things. Maybe these people had parents who did everything for them.
Susan Reid Smith 3 years ago
I taught my husband how to cook during Covid; Read Package Directions.
Veronica Michelle 3 years ago
Wow. Neither of these people had business with this type of job.
#7
I was asked at an all-men workplace if I could possibly take some time off during my lunch break to clean the kitchen, because "we really don't know how to do it well". I remember I was so shocked I only responded with a gaping mouth and a "...no??", but I have a feeling I radiated rage because they just gave me a timid nod, left and did not ever ask again.
Anonymous 3 years ago (edited)
They know how to eat but don't know how to clean the kitchen. Are the co-workers 3 yr olds?
Seabeast 3 years ago
I guess their mommies did it for them until they got married or lived with a girlfriend and then their new substitute mommies did it.
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Amused panda 3 years ago
Regardless of gender... If people are using the kitchen/break area to prepare lunch, they should clean up after themselves during their own break time. But if someone is being asked to clean up after their colleagues, for the benefit of the workplace, then they should be doing it in their paid working hours and not during their own lunch break.
Veronica Jean 3 years ago
My knee jerk response, in that situation, was "What your mother didn't teach you how to....?" Then I realized that's messed up to. Once again putting responsibility on women!! From now on it's "Your father didn't teach you to..." And I'll see how people respond
Say What 3 years ago
They want you to clean up after men, unpaid, AND lose part of your lunch hour?
Susan Reid Smith 3 years ago
That's what I saw is the unpaid part, and spend part of your rest time not resting?
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Ahimsa Soul 3 years ago
And practice makes perfect, right? The more they practice the better they get at it.
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#8
I used to have a male boss who in meetings would always look at me and say, “you’re taking notes right?” I wasn’t in an admin role and he also never said the same to my male coworkers. I would then stop bringing any pens or paper with me other than meeting materials so I could say “no, but maybe [Joe] can”, and watch him wrestle with that for a minute in awkward silence.
Helena 3 years ago
Has happened to me at numerous meetings. First time, I literally just drew a bird. When they asked me to read it back, I'm like 'it's a bird'. Made myself chuckle, boss didn't know what to say. I was 20 something. worth it.
Jen M 3 years ago (edited)
I'm A female construction project manager. The men used to pull me aside on the job site all the time to ask if I was lost as if I'd somehow stumbled in off the street with a hard hat and safety vest on. So one time this guy in the Stair well does the same to me. I end up running the meeting hes sitting in on 2 minutes later which is where we were both walking to up the stairs. He looked white as a sheet for the rest of the meeting. LOL always a joy!
Steve Robert 3 years ago
I'm the male Secretary on our HOA Board of Directors. I do the agenda, take minutes during the meeting, and then write them up. Heck, I didn't even take notes in class at UCLA, and now look at me.
K. Anderson 3 years ago
I have had to do similar stuff at jobs but not just at men. There are a lot of people who will not step up & think it’s someone elses job.
patricia patricia 3 years ago
Maaaany people do everything for their kids. Even for teenagers and young adults. Some countries are worse then others. In Spain people usually lives at home forever, so you can see 30-somethings whose mothers cook for them, do the laundry, clean, etc. Especially if they are men, but lots of young women are also too pampered for their own good. They are useless. If they had to prepare a sandwich by themselves, they would starve.
Recent research suggests that, depending on how they are put into place, pay transparency measures can effectively identify compensation differences and reduce broader gender inequalities in the labor market.
"These are still early days for pay transparency," Manuela Tomei, Director of the ILO Conditions of Work and Equality Department, said, noting that countries are pursuing different approaches to advance it.
She highlighted that "there is no 'one-size fits all' solution.'"
"While more time is needed to assess the effectiveness of the different measures and practices, it is encouraging that governments, workers' and employers' organizations seek to devise innovative solutions, such as pay transparency, to tackle a stubborn problem."
#9
I started a new job, desk job in an otherwise all male office, and the boss had the audacity to imply that I'm welcome to use the inhouse kitchen to make food for the staff, and how nice it is to have a woman on the team. I walked out.
Susie Elle 3 years ago
If the only reason you're there is because you have the female magical sandwich-making tits and coffee-brewing vagina, I'd walk out too
Just Another Girl 3 years ago
So sad for you all…I don’t cook. Feel free to make me a five course meal every lunch break, though.
Auntie Bear 3 years ago
"OH thanks but I can barely make toast." *LOL, then stare right at him*
#10
My boss started buying all sorts of kitchen tools (e.g., pots and pans, rice cooker, portable burner, etc.). I thought it was for the annual Christmas raffle he hosts for his employees.
Until one day at lunch, he turns to me and says, "once the burner arrives, be sure to make a list of groceries you will need to start making lunch for the office. I assume you know how to cook since you are a woman."
We work in a small office and I'm in HR...
Fell Ripley(she, they, potato) 3 years ago
You can also spell it ässhöle.
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Jiminy 3 years ago
From Reddit: In the most serious but enthusiastic way, I let him know I would get to work on contacting the city for a health permit, contact our insurance company to adjust our liability coverage, obtain food handlers license, etc. He immediately said to hold off on starting that project.
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Fell Ripley(she, they, potato) 3 years ago
Warning:⚠️this comment contains rude language⚠️ Fück that guy, he's not qualified to be a boss.
#11
Once I was eating sliced radishes at my desk. My male coworker saw that, said he loved radishes, and asked if I could get some for him and throw on some salt. When I suggested he slice his own, he literally said it was too much work. Same coworker suggested to a room full of male students that I should provide them all with snacks. When I laughed thinking it was a joke, he looked at me dead serious and told me it was MY JOB because I’m a woman and then accused me of wanting them to go hungry. F that noise.
Phil Green 3 years ago
So, as a guy, what was his role? Just to sit there scratching his ba**s? Like some chimpanzee?
Fell Ripley(she, they, potato) 3 years ago
This made me VERY INFURIATED and I don't know what else can be said.
JE Cummings 3 years ago
If I'm not your mom, wife, SO, or other relative, I ain't feeding you, dude.
All in all, u/newmama1991 is optimistic about the future, both locally and abroad. "Recently there has been a revival of the Me Too movement [here] due to a scandal on the TV show The Voice of Holland and women have been given a renewed platform to speak up against abuse of power and sexual misconduct. Women are taking a stand!"
#12
A man in my office asked me to print and bind a document for him. I said I didn’t know how, he said it’s easy and he can talk me through it, and I said well then it sounds like you don’t need me, does it.
I was 24 at the time I’d never even seen a document binder before then, let alone used one. I didn’t work for him and it wasn’t part of my role. He had a meeting and he wanted binded copies for his team and made a beeline for the only vagina in the office.
Fell Ripley(she, they, potato) 3 years ago
Ok, but, " made a beeline for the only vagina in the office." could be taken VERY differently. 🤨
Appalachian Panda 3 years ago
Thank heavens! What would we do without the grammar police?
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I wasn't exactly asked but someone mentioned that "we could have some coffee" and stared at me (like an unspoken request) and I stared right back
Lululoohoo 3 years ago
I would have stared back and said "yea totally. I could use some too. You mind grabbing it?"
Sonja 3 years ago
I'd even be more brash: yes that would be great, bring me one too! I take mine with milk, thank you
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Brenda Spagnola-Wilson 3 years ago
I don't drink it, and I'm not going to learn. Make your own
weatherwitch 3 years ago
Or just reply with "That's a great idea, mine's with milk and one sugar thanks" 😉
DuchessDegu 3 years ago
I was always asked to make the coffee when trustees came for meetings. I got sick of it and this time made purposely horrible too strong coffee and very weak tea, milk in the not yet opened bottle instead of a milk jug, paper towel napkins. Was never asked again and refreshments for meeting were outsourced to caterers
#14
I was hired as an office manager at a small firm. They placed me in the front while they "cleaned my office out" that was being used as storage. I kept pressing to try and do office management tasks, payroll, AR/AP, office organization, etc.
I have a business degree with a lot of certifications.
After a few months (I was young), I asked about the tasks I should be doing and my office. I was told that I was to be a receptionist because they "needed a pretty face to greet clients." Then they hired a person who was quite possibly the dumbest person I've ever met, cleaned out the storage office for him, and gave him the job I was hired for.
I quit.
Jennifer Critchley 3 years ago
That is so shady!! Good on the OP for quitting. I'm sorry she had to waste her time there!!
Amused panda 3 years ago
Er....this I don't get this one. Yes, it shows their inherent sexism, but why would a company hire someone on an office manager salary, stick them on front desk and then hire another office manager instead of recruiting a receptionist who would be on lower pay? Did she not have a contract which set out duties and pay?
ispeak catanese 3 years ago
I have no idea but I'd guess they paid her peanuts and paid the dumb guy the manager's salary.
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#15
Not a female duty but I was specifically excluded from a sports event that was fully catered and paid for by a client because we did a great job on their account. It was my account and I did the entire job but all the men got the reward for it.
TheQueenZ 3 years ago
Omg I'd throw a baseball right at their heads, in the office! What jerks. She worked her butt off. I hope one day she gets to be the one who goes places and no women are ever excluded again.
Fell Ripley(she, they, potato) 3 years ago
Sadly, that fantasy is about a trillion miles away from reality.
Load More Replies... LittleMissPanda 3 years ago
I'd be soooo pissed... why would anyone think this was appropriate.... :(
RoseAnne Hutchence 3 years ago
Walk up to the client, introduce yourself, shake hands, and say what a pleasure it was managing the account. "So glad you're happy with the results, the team did a great job, didn't they? I look forward to your next project."
#16
One of the managers (not MY manager) passed 3-4 men to interrupt my work and try to hand me some cash to go get a card for someone's upcoming event party. I frowned like he was a particularly dim bulb and told him to go talk to the GUY who was organizing that party since he knew what was actually going on. Not-my-manager scuttled away.
RoseAnne Hutchence 3 years ago
It's a shame we have to fight these little battles with such frequency. Really. It seems unending.
#17
I do the accounting & payroll and they asked me to take over the task of cleaning of the offices; vacuuming, bathrooms, and trash cans.. I did agree to it for an extra $500 a month lmao and honestly it takes like 30-45 min a week to do and the bathrooms are much less scary than they used to be so its a win-win for me
Amiga 3 years ago
I asked my boyfriend to pay me $100 a month to clean the house because he could not remember to do his part. This hit him differently than all of my complaining. Now we have a calender on the fridge outling each of our cleaning duties. And he does his share
Jordi Sharpe 3 years ago
Isn't it funny how money seems to jog their memory?
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*Laws*Of*Anarchy* 3 years ago
For 30-45 minutes a week? $125 for less than an hours work... I'm gonna say it's well worth it
Load More Replies... #18
Ex-military. I had a supervisor that I’m pretty sure hated women. He stopped one of the guys (same rank as me) from cleaning the office and told him he wanted me to do it. He would bring me a notepad and tell me to “jot down his thoughts throughout the day.” He would offer to write packages for any of the guys in the office, but never me (even though I was one of the highest performers.) If I disagreed with anything, I was told by him to just do it because he ranked higher. If any men disagreed, he would hear them out. I hated that guy and his stupid pube face of a beard
Amy Lee 3 years ago
Raised as a rude idiot. No one is born rude/homophobic/racist/sexist. Raise your son's better people.
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RoseAnne Hutchence 3 years ago
In the real world (not governed by military rules of conduct), you would have been perfectly justified in telling him your opinion of his behaviour.
Naesil 🇫🇮 3 years ago
For military service this is obviously bullsht, but military is one of the places where I understand it being male dominant field for countries that actually do participate in wars (voluntarily (im looking at you US :P) or involuntary) No matter how they have tried to twist and turn the tests it has always resulted in that in real combat situations it just is better to have full male squad than not. The natural physical differences being the main reason, and yes there will always be outliers, some peak of the peak female will be better than some untrained recruit dude. But in a large scale when you need tens of thousands people to fight the average is what makes the difference. Now I dont say that women have no place in military, no actually I think lots of women would be very good at the headquarters making good judgement calls how to operate, I think women have less of the hero syndrome than men do.
Tom Drummer 3 years ago
Tl, DR. But thanks for mansplaining that to everyone.
Load More Replies... #19
I’ve been asked at multiple jobs to “decorate the office” because I’m “probably good at that kind of thing.” The first few I declined, but then I got wise and said I’d do it for a budget plus designer pay. Last two times it worked and I made a pretty good chunk of change making the office not look like something straight out of Dilbert.
T C 3 years ago
Speaking of Dilbert, Scott Adams is probably the guy in every one of these anecdotes.
Michael Sanders 3 years ago
I was asked to do this and I am a man. No one else could do it better I guess 🤷♂️
Mandy Delaforce (PC Girl) 3 years ago
this reminds me of when they asked me to help decorate the office for xmas. I told them that I'm awful at this, but they insisted. I did such an awful job (warned them) that they said they wouldn't ask me again. LOL
Amiga 3 years ago
No one is born knowing how to do it. We all have to learn sometime
Load More Replies... #20
I was a teamlead and one of my laywer-teammembers asked a woman if she was the make up lady on picture day. This woman was the CTO of the company (1000+ employees)
Jen Hart 3 years ago
Apparently, "wer" is Old English for 'man,' so, "layman?" 🙂
Load More Replies... #21
To come in on Fridays to the office and give it a “good ol’ fashion sweep and mop, since I’m probably used to doing that at home” I politely declined then the supervisor says, “but your used to cleaning up after men aren’t you?” I looked at him directly shook my head and said no.
AxleMunshine001 3 years ago
As a married man, I cook, clean, do the laundry, shopping, ironing and put the rubbish out. My mother taught me to be proficient at being independent and not to rely on others. Those men are just lazy and they know it.
Load More Replies... Fell Ripley(she, they, potato) 3 years ago
WHAT THE FÜCKING FÜCK WAS HE DOING IN A SUPERVISOR POSITION?
Michael Largey 3 years ago
He was a clueless jerk who would demean and expolit his workers without a thought. Prime qualifications for a supervisor position at too many places.
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Duncan Rogers 3 years ago
Perhaps I"m completely out of touch, but I don't know ANY men who would speak that way to a woman. And many of the women I know would give such a man a shot to the chin with a closed fist.
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 3 years ago
I would have thrust the mop and bucket into that manchild’s hands and hightailed it out of that toxic workplace.
#22
Not the workplace but my sporting club. I was sixteen and our netball team (all girls) was asked to make casseroles for an event on the weekend. I asked what the football team (all boys) was doing the answer was nothing. I refused and everyone said I was being ridiculous.
Katja Katze 3 years ago
I feel this so much! Whether it's an event at work or an event in the village, all women have a "duty" to bake cakes, make coffee, serve drinks and wash the dishes. The men chat and enjoy the day.
Kitty Jordan 3 years ago
This reminded me of my Thanksgiving with my ex. He asked what he could bring to Thanksgiving - we did it potluck style - and every one stared at him. None of the men ever cooked or cleaned or did anything for Thanksgiving; the women did all the work. My aunts actually hugged him when he brought in a green bean casserole. Even me, an ardent feminist, didn't realize how messed up it was until then.
RoseAnne Hutchence 3 years ago
S**t. Sometimes we have to lead the sheep out of complying with expectations. Not ridiculous at all. Difficult, but good for you.
#23
When I was 23 and working as a TA at a private school, the annual silent auction included a “free night of babysitting” with MY name on it. I wasn’t asked beforehand. I was still new and unfortunately too scared to say no, so instead I added fine print to the deal….a strict mileage radius, time frame, and specific dates that worked for me. No one wanted it. :)
PleasantCrocodile 3 years ago
That is beyond messed up. OP should have called them out on that. Completely unacceptable and unprofessional.
Phobrek Taz 3 years ago
Damn... OP's solution was good, but if she'd allowed it to play out and actually did the babysitting, she could have invoiced the school with an insanely marked-up bill. Document everything, and when they refuse payment, offer to tell the whole story to local media, relevant government authorities, etc.
Jordi Sharpe 3 years ago
So they were planning on selling OP, a human person, like a service product. Ok.
Fell Ripley(she, they, potato) 3 years ago
What the heck!? Imagine if the genders were switched! Knowing what a man might do, a girl could also be pretty mistrustworthy with kids. You can't just assume that your kids will be safe.
Michael Largey 3 years ago
Instead of changing the fine print, she should have just switched the principal's name for hers.
Calane E. Vanya 3 years ago
I've read "...and working as The As***e...". English isn't my first language and I'm used to "YTA/NTA".
Bluebird11 3 years ago
This as an incredibly foolish thing to do. Besides the sexist aspect, there's the safety aspect. Not all women know how to take care of young kids. I sure don't, nor do I care to learn. Plus they didn't check whether she had any sort of scary criminal record. Some women do.
Fell Ripley(she, they, potato) 3 years ago
Bro. . .not sure if you're even a human with emotions at this point
Load More Replies... #24
I had a manager who couldn’t adhere to a deadline to save his life. He said that it was my job to remind him of his deadlines (because I’m female and therefore naturally organised), and would actually try to penalise me in my performance review for any deadlines he missed.
FakeOptimist 3 years ago
A higher-up once explained to me he made more BECAUSE he took on more responsibilities.
Load More Replies... Fell Ripley(she, they, potato) 3 years ago
Ha. "Female and naturally organized." I wish. My room looks like a pack of crazed raccoons, as well as a moose or two, had a party and got drunk in it.
#25
In IT for a number of years. My male boss asked me to check in with him in his office every morning, but didn’t ask my male co-workers to check in.
He also didn’t have a problem when a co-worker asked me out, and I declined with “sorry, I have a serious boyfriend.” That guy started being really rude/nasty to me. When I complained to my boss, he said “can you blame him?”
In a meeting with all male coworkers, one guy handed me papers in a meeting and asked me to deliver them to someone else in the building. I refused, and said he could deliver them himself. My boss said I was extremely rude. The worst, one other woman joined the team, and at our staff meeting, which was right after lunch, the guys would talk about the “restaurant” they had lunch at, where the waitresses were topless. It was disgusting to hear them talk. So disrespectful. It was the worst experience in my entire career. I sucked it up for two years so it would look good on my resume. After I got my next job, I stopped putting that work experience on my resume.
RoseAnne Hutchence 3 years ago
Most companies these days keep watch on their social media accounts. Reporting issues such as this not only publicizes the bad behaviour but also makes the company culpable. Better by far than silence (which, when you look at it, equates with compliance and is far from the best answer).
Spocks's Mom 3 years ago
There are quite a few. Burgers and Babes in Australia came up in my Google search. Btw. Don't google "topless waitress". 😐😭🤣
Load More Replies... #26
I work in an office off of a warehouse. All the warehouse workers are guys. They have their own break room and they let a coffee maker go to s**t because they never cleaned it.
Recently one guy ask me to make him a cup of coffee. He was a new guy so the coffee maker issue wasn’t his fault. He was also sick. And asked very nicely. And his mom and my mom also happen to be very good friends. So I decided to be nice and make him a cup.
For the following week EVERY GUY in the warehouse asked me to make them coffee every morning.
Give an inch, they take a mile.
Vinita Talaulikar 3 years ago
How some guys are Untrainable material? Simple things at home too... some just won't move their a*s...
Nicole Weymann 3 years ago
They are trainable. Went from never asking for coffee to asking for coffee very quickly. ☝️ I guess the issue is incentive.
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April Stephens 3 years ago
I wish people didn't have to come into work when they were sick. Even if it wasn't a contagious illness, is it right for him to be there when he was feeling too poorly to make his own cup of coffee?
#27
I've never been directly asked about female duties however, being a young female working in various admin roles I frequently noticed that much older men in higher roles try to treat you like their PA. Even when they aren't your boss or have any leadership over you. Ignoring them is pretty fun though, I love watching them get frustrated because I had the audacity to not complete a task that has nothing to do with my role or had gone through my manager lol
Brenda Spagnola-Wilson 3 years ago
I've flat out told male managers that I don't work for them and/or something isn't in my job description.
Linda Lee 3 years ago
I've been reminded by bosses that my job description states, "Other duties as assigned". The trick is, do that "other duty" very badly.
Load More Replies... #28
A male manager once told me to clean the men's room in our store. I told him he has arms, legs and knows where the cleaning stuff is. Have fun ✌️
Michael Largey 3 years ago
Any properly managed store would have its own cleaning staff already.
ItsJess 3 years ago
I'm a dental hygienist and I worked in a DENTAL office where the dentist/boss was too cheap/micromanaging to hire a cleaning service (which is what most offices do). She blamed it on HIPAA- saying that the files and insurance info werent locked up, so we couldn't have anyone else come into the office. Every night I was expected to mop the floor in my operatory, dust and vacuum in any downtime. The clinical assistant scrubbed toilets. I hated it, but considering it was her decision to waste $50/hr for me to mop a floor (since I had to come early and stay late), I did it. That was just one of the many signs of a mismanaged office.
Load More Replies... #29
I was still expected to make coffee and order breakfast for all public hearings at my job (I’m in municipal planning & zoning). This is after 6 years and getting my Masters (which none of the men in my workplace have). Not that I’m above doing these things because of my education & experience but I am above doing it EVERY single time. I stopped doing it about 3 months ago, I verbally told everyone the day before the meeting. Of course no one stepped up that first time and when they bitched about no coffee and food I said “not my problem “ 🤷🏼♀️ The responsibility has been shared ever since 👍🏻
Jordi Sharpe 3 years ago
Sometimes finding your self worth is difficult. Standing up for yourself is difficult.
Load More Replies... Linda Lee 3 years ago
I was asked to order pizza for the office. Okay, no problem. The next month I was asked to do it again. I said to the boss, "That sounds like an opportunity for someone else". That didn't fly with him and I had to order the pizza. When it arrived, there were twice as many pizzas than we needed because ...oops!
#30
Cleaning, taking notes, putting together potlucks/events, taking over for the receptionist when they're at lunch
ETA: I pulled the helpless incompetence when people tell me to make coffee. I don't drink coffee and make it as sludgy as I possibly can. They never ask again.
jjdubs W 3 years ago (edited)
My mom gradually made her coffee stronger and stronger over the years. She once told me that at the office (of all women) that they wouldn't let her make coffee unless she measured it according to the directions. "Pssh. It tastes like dishwater." That was 30 years ago. 🤣
Biliegh they/them 3 years ago
What does ETA mean here? I'm like, what does an estimated time of arrival have to do with this? Lol
TheElderNom 3 years ago
Wouldn't work for some of the older traindrivers I've met. I was asked to make coffee for them, could be a female thing but could also be a youngest person/trainee thing. But in any case, the coffee was the darkest roast available, half coal, and when I did it the normal way one spoon per cup and one extra for the can I was scoffed at. No, two spoons per cup and like half a decilitre extra for the can. Just the smell kept me caffeinated enough to be unable to fall asleep the next night.
Erik Ivan 3 years ago
As a man, I never get asked to make coffee twice. Apparently it's "to strong" when I make it. And "it's not supposed to dissolve a spoon". Just show how bad taste people have! If they don't like my coffee, that is their problem - not mine.
Rachel 3 years ago
If no one asks you to make coffee twice, maybe that's a "you" problem lol
Load More Replies... #31
I'm a female with 20 years in the IT industry too. Not been too bad. Only thing I've been expected to do is answer the phone. I refused point blank until eventually someone offered me a pound to do it, so I did. On my industrial placement from uni, I was asked to make tea. I refused point blank and was never asked again. We had a male receptionist at the time, who made the teas thereafter. I give as good as I get - you have to in an industry that is still predominantly men.
T C 3 years ago
If only saying "no" worked every time with men, the world would be such a better place.
Fell Ripley(she, they, potato) 3 years ago
Are you referring to râpe or what?
Load More Replies... Octavia Hansen 3 years ago
Working as an advertising artist, coffee was never ready so I made it, and while brewing I would clean up around the kitchen. This job became more lengthy with everyone drinking more coffee and adding cups to the sink. One morning THE boss came in and I casually mentioned "I'm the most expensive coffee maker in this city" (considering my high salary and the jobs that were not getting done). Next day a high schooler was hired to make coffee and clean up.
FakeOptimist 3 years ago
I hear you. Hopefully the lack of personell nowadays will change stuff : I know too many women who were excellent in their IT/technical jobs but quit or moved on because they are a bit shy or timid so could not handle the stress
Debby Keir 3 years ago
I was once negotiating with a (medical) consultant to provide premises for an Occupational Health clinic. He called me 'Petal' throughout.
#32
multiple times coworkers had to bring their children into work for different reasons and multiple times they assumed it was ok to leave them in my care while they went to meetings. never once was i asked.
Bron 3 years ago
Pick up the child, take the to their parent and put the on their lap.
Load More Replies... DKS 001 3 years ago
I do not like kids. Don't leave them with me unless you want me yelling at them.
cerinamroth 2 years ago
Would you do that to an elderly person, or anyone else? It seems unnecessary to be abusive to an innocent baby! You could just pop a post-it note with ‘Return to Sender’ stuck to it.
Load More Replies... Phobrek Taz 3 years ago
"Hi honey! Never forget that this is how your daddy treats you: he's supposed to be showing you all the neat things he does all day, but then he dumps you off with a total stranger instead of spending time with you. Be sure to tell mommy what he did!"
weatherwitch 3 years ago
Rather than teach the kids swear words which only gets the kids into trouble and it's not their fault their parent is an a-hole, I'd look to encourage them to play musical instruments. A cheap flute or mini drum kit entertains the entire office as well as the parents at home and who may well be drawn into Years of terrible childhood playing.... There's loads of potential percussion instruments in any office or household room...😉
JE Cummings 3 years ago
I'd walk that kid/kids straight into the meetings and leave them there.
KING ILLEGAL FOREST 3 years ago
One of our clients once brought his kid to his meeting with my boss. I'm the head paralegal so I technically "outrank" the other guy in the office, but this dude turns to me before heading for my boss's office and goes "you'll watch her right." Didn't even phrase it as a question. The look on his face when I said "NO, I won't" was priceless.
#33
My boss asked me to clean/organise the stockroom because it needed a "womens touch" I work in IT. To be honest if he had just asked me to clean and organise it I would have just done it as we were a 3 person team and it wasn't outside of my responsibility. However, the comment about a women's touch means it was a mess until I left and probably still is. He never asked again. 🙃
weatherwitch 3 years ago
It should literally be the Best organiser regardless of their genitalia 😔😊
#34
I would have meetings with all male coworkers and clients. I was neither the most junior nor the newest hire. I was consistently asked to prepare the meeting room with snacks and coffee, never anyone else, including other male interns.
Phobrek Taz 3 years ago
Add laxatives to coffee. Give them all a great bonding experience in the restroom.
Jordi Sharpe 3 years ago
I have a hard rule of never f*****g with people's food and drink. Just like I would never dose someone with LSD, I would never add laxative to their drink. That's dangerous.
Load More Replies... Naesil 🇫🇮 3 years ago
I know it probably will be hard for the women who are the first ones to do it but just say no and dont do it, one reason why bosses do this is because women will do it if asked while men unless they are interns etc. just wont do it and give reason that they dont have time to do that (even though we all know we do have the time) My team at work is all male and even in our whole site we only have one woman at the moment so everyone does these things, and actually in our company the team leader is responsible for this kind of stuff like snacks or food. Events are organized by whoever feels like organizing so then they will make the reservations and shopping and then the leader pays that off but if its related to actual work then the leader does it.
#35
I am ALWAYS asked to send the meeting recap email. As if I were a part of the meeting to simply take notes like a secretary.
I’m most of these men’s boss.
Deborah B 3 years ago
You are the boss, right? So delegate it right back. "Thank you for volunteering, Kyle. Please have your recap email out by the end of the day."
K. Anderson 3 years ago
I suspect she is not a great leader. It’s actually embarrassing she even submitted this & is the boss
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RoseAnne Hutchence 3 years ago
Saying "no" does not have to be confrontational (which makes many of us uncomfortable). "No" with a smile (without explanation, by the way) is perfectly acceptable.
Auntie Bear 3 years ago
I've been asked to volunteer as the minute taker for several things over the years, always by a man. I am terrible at taking notes. I try to write everything out but there's not enough time, I try to abbr but I don't know what it means later, etc. Men assume we are all good "secretaries".
JE Cummings 3 years ago
I would have initially told whoever asked to ask the secretary who took notes to recap. If he were to complain that there was no secretary, then I would ask "Then why weren't YOU taking notes?" The only answer to that would be "well, I thought you were doing it." That's when I smile and sign him up for mandatory equality classes.
K. Anderson 3 years ago
Not a very good boss. You should have ask someone each meeting to do it.
#36
On my second week on a new job my boss asked me to prep his food for the Christmas potluck. When I gave him a questioning look he added, because women are just so much better at that stuff.
Jordi Sharpe 3 years ago
"I can make Salmon Surprise! Oh wait, sorry, that's SalmonELLA Surprise."
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Mrs Irish Mom 3 years ago
I cant cook and i gave myself food poison twice, thank god my husband is a great cook cos id starve to death otherwise
Bailey W. 3 years ago
The only reason that woman (maybe) are better at this stuff is because they have to do it (nearly) every damn time. Practice makes perfect. Just do it yourself and you will most likely soon be better at it than some random woman that works with you.
Phil Green 3 years ago
I would have gone ahead and done it for him... and make it bland/inedible. I don't like messing food up, but what's worse? Letting a misogynist get away with it or mess up his food? He would never ask again.
Timmy Pillinger 3 years ago
Take 1 recipe. Replace tsp with tbsp and enjoy. Evil version.: (I I wouldn't actually do it but the idea amuses me) Make mild chili and bring a stack of bowls washed in Carolina reaper. Keep a plain bowl for yourself. Like that will probably want to keep up with your eating after chilli, but it will hurt.
Bailey W. 3 years ago
I just love that. And I love you for thinking like that!
Load More Replies... #37
I was chosen to cut up fruit for a platter for an all day conference for management, who were all men. Apparently I looked like a girl who knew how to cut fruit. I was also told that only 'I could make it look pretty', with a condescending pat on the back. I was young, and I wasn't comfortable saying no, but at the time I was like f**k this. They were just too cheap to pay for already cut up fruit. I was referred to as the 'assistant', when in fact my title was an Administration Officer.
Jordi Sharpe 3 years ago
And then leave the knife stabbed into it as a warning.
Load More Replies... K. Anderson 3 years ago
If cutting fruit is stopping you from getting your work done that sucks. Like you have to stay late to finish your responsibilities as you couldn’t do then as you were cutting fruit. If it’s given to you to do in place off other work you got paid $25 an hour (or whatever you make) to cut fruit 🤷♀️. I had a job where I did a lot of the setting up & cleaning but it was part of my job so if it took me all day that’s was my job that day & I didn’t have to do more the next day to catch. Also this was in a school so mostly female teachers. I never minded do extra stuff to help them as it’s a hard job & they never took advantage.
#38
Watching my boss’s f*****g kid because HE brought him to the office. He is like 9 years old, old enough to sit in a chair and read a f*****g book, but all of a sudden I’m a babysitter. You could at least pay me my nanny rate, it’s more than I make at this shithole.
Cari Owens 2 years ago
This and when asked why something isn't getting done, the answer is "I'm too busy watching your kid. So your choice is either get someone else to babysit or deal with stuff not getting done."
Load More Replies... Octavia Hansen 3 years ago
I LOVED sitting with the boss's kid! I would take the kid to lunch with me and we'd stay out an extra half hour to a whole extra hour! I'd pay attention to the kid and neglect my work . . . didn't take long for boss to realize I was the highest paid baby sitter in town!
JE Cummings 3 years ago
I would simply refuse. When I worked for the State of Florida, my boss told me to look up nursing homes for HER MOTHER, who'd recently had a stroke. I flat refused. She wanted to fire me over it and I threatened to complain to HR. She backed off.
AnonymousApple 3 years ago
I once had a boss walk into my office, deposit a small child, and walk out without saying a single word. My job title was accountant and office manager.
#39
A male coworker once asked me to change the little garbages in the womens restroom stalls because they have tampons in them. Which made him uncomfortable. Idk why me being a woman would make me want to possibly touch other peoples bodily fluids.
Spocks's Mom 3 years ago
Why does he get grossed out by what goes on in the women's restroom when he's not supposed to be in there?
Jordi Sharpe 3 years ago
I don't understand why men are such pussies about menstruation. I grew up with a bunch of tough a*s women who didn't sugarcoat that c**p. It's a natural human process (which is totally f****d up and unfair). I look back on all the guys in school eating food off the floor or eating bugs, and I laugh, and die inside.
Auntie Bear 3 years ago
It shocks and empowers me how open my young nieces are about their periods in front of all genders. In my day it was all hush hush. My sisters and I never even said anything about it in front of our dad.
Load More Replies... JE Cummings 3 years ago
Why was HE in the women's restroom in the first place, peeking in the trash??? Perv!
Mrs Irish Mom 3 years ago
Made him feel uncomfortable 🤦♀️ i guess he has no sisters and has never had a girlfriend
Lena Flising 3 years ago
Which gender is it, again, who can't stand seeing blood? Women see blood almost every month; men seem much more squeamish about blood than women (in general).
Angie Wakefield 3 years ago
I was once asked to order sanibins for our whole building as I was the only female Head of Dept. When I pointed out that sanibins were not my department, I was told 'the men shouldn't have to think about that sort of thing'. I pointed at the man who was in charge of that department and said 'he's got a wife and 2 daughters, he shouldn't be squeamish about 'that sort of thing'. I didn't order them.
Katie Everswick 3 years ago
But some of these posts have mentioned being asked to clean specifically a "male bathroom" and refused... shouldn't it work the same way turned around? I don't understand.
#40
I used to work in team with only males and I was the only one ever in charge of my colleagues birthdays (ordering a cake, inviting everyone to the cafeteria, etc.). For one of my birthdays I heard my ex-boss had to ask a "favor" from a female from ANOTHER department (at least he remembered, I guess)
Mona Stevenson 3 years ago (edited)
If all colleagues were introverts, there would be no office birthdays, weddings, baby showers etc. and that would be fine with me …
Joshua Moore 3 years ago
Couldn't agree with more Mona. Where I work they send out emails and Zoom messages about coworkers birthdays and work anniversaries. It is an absolute f'n pain in the butt seeing flying cakes across the team zoom chat during the day. I've turned off the notifications on zoom so it isn't always popping up on my screen. I've also had them remove me from any celebration notifications, so my name is never mentioned. I never age and I never have any work anniversary.
Load More Replies... #41
Worked as a developer and the owner of the software company said they wanted to do a "Friday morning breakfast", which I was excited about because I thought it'd be catering but nope, they got a waffle maker and expected me to make waffles for the whole office. There were 5 women and 35 men so the ratio was a bit... off. Should've seen the red flag.
Ruth Hempsey 3 years ago
Sorry, I don't know what a waffle is I'm British. This is actually true. Never made a waffle. 😳🇬🇧🇨🇦
#42
Cleaning up after male associate Supervisor's, despite the fact I worked in payroll. I processed the payroll for 100 warehouse associates. My boss, told me part of my duties, would be "cleaning up after the Supervisor's eat lunch at their desk" . Mind you, these men ate taco bell, McDonald's, etc., everyday. Leaving behind scraps of lettuce, cheese, whatever. And when I objected to the obvious miscalculation of my job description, my boss stated, "because your the women of the office". GO F**K YOURSELF
FakeOptimist 3 years ago
Take your sweet time over it, and either click in overtime or make the payroll be late.
Auntie Bear 3 years ago
Had a boss do this but I had no recourse because the last line of my job description was "other duties as assigned". So any time I would point out it wasn't part of my job he would just look at me and say "other duties as assigned". Luckily this wasn't the only way he discriminated against me and I filed suit and won a settlement.
Amused panda 3 years ago
Hang on, this was cleaning the supervisor's desk after the supervisor ate? So, whilst the supervisor was working at his desk? Oh, that could have got messy, accidentally wiping the scraps off the desk into the supervisor's lap, or accidentally spraying the supervisor with cleaning products, or accidentally deleting the document the supervisor was working on....
Isabel Care 3 years ago
I'd do it once, using a dirty broom to sweep everything off the desks into a bin. A wet, muddy yard broom if possible
#43
So. Much. Schedule. Managing. Only for male attorneys on, below, or over my seniority level. No other female attorney has asked me any one of the following questions more than once, while every male attorney I've worked with asks me on the regular: When are we supposed to be in this hearing? Do we have hearing scheduled for [insert client] today? When was the last time we saw client? When is that expert report due? Do have a meeting with the expert? When is that? What are we talking about? Did we get that report in on time? Did we file that motion? Bro, this is all documented in our case management system and WE did not do S**T, I did.
I am the lead attorney on three other cases that are as serious or more serious than this case and manage to be where I need to be when I need to be there AND direct my second or third chairs where they need to be. WTF?!
I may or may not have all the rage about this right now for really specific reasons that I'm not elaborating on because it's really specific to my area of practice and the way it's practiced in my jurisdiction.
Also, cleaning out the fridge. Never has a man done it in the history of my office. I have helped out of solidarity to other female attorneys in my office who are more senior than me and watched one throw up in a trash can last week cleaning. Managed to not follow suit only because I didn't eat breakfast/no trash can available/sheer force of will.
Cavern Gill-Vernon 3 years ago
There are 4 of us where I work. 2 men (I'm one of them) and 2 women. I'm the only full time worker. Even the boss is part time. I use the toilet probably the least. But, it's a sh!t hole (needs totally gutting) But I clean it. I clean the bathrooms at home (married with 2 daughters) It's NOT a woman's job. My boss seems to p**s everywhere BUT the loo. It's not fair on the girls to have to do it
TheQueenZ 3 years ago
Here, here! Gentleman! If all men were like you this article wouldn't exist. Thank you for your just and fair support of the women who help run your small business.
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K. Anderson 3 years ago
I used to work in a school but not as a teacher. One day a teacher needed her cat moved at noon to the other street- it’s NY & parking is a hassle & it had to be moved then because if you wait there will be no spots. I was one of the few people who wasn’t a teacher so I was able to with my schedule & I had a car & license which most people didn’t have. There were alot of adults there who did not know how to drive. As a teacher you have no flexibility as if you had students then you can’t change that. She asked me if I could help her & I was pretty much the only person who could help. I didn’t mind as Know the pain of parking in NYC & it was easy & took less than 5 minutes. I remember she kept trying to give me money for doing it & I was like no way!
#44
The manager who hired me for the blue vest mafia put me in back room stock. So that means I should have been stocking shelves and making sure stuff was pulled forward. This position requires a fair bit of heavy lifting. When I showed up for my first shift my department manager put me in the clothing section just refolding the clothes people were constantly messing up. My shift lead found me on my second day and she informed me that he did that to all the woman who apply to his department. I did not stay there long
TheQueenZ 3 years ago
Seriously. Can't down vote because the OP isn't a jerk. But I cathardically need a push button for no, it would come in, handy. "Dad gives up?" "Kid is crazy cause he has some male DNA. Push the button. Everyone stays away from the crazy.
Izzy the PolyAce Pan-da 3 years ago (edited)
I agree, with post that are horrible I can't upvote but the poster is the victim so I can't down vote either it's horrible
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#45
I was in a negotiation with all men. One man from the other side asked me to get coffee for everyone because he thought I was the personal assistant
#46
I’m a cleaner so I already have to deal with some s**t most days,,but the amount of men that will ask me do something they think is gonna take 5 minutes when I’m reality it’s a half hour job that they want me to do within my normal hours on top of everything else I have to do regardless,,is genuinely unbelievable, and if I do do that that extra task they then complain that something else hasn’t been done simply not understanding that something has to give somewhere, to me it just screams ‘I don’t know how to clean because I’ve always had someone to do it for me’ and it just makes me cringe especially when they try to tell me that it won’t actually take that long,,,like they’ve ever spend a day commercial cleaning
JE Cummings 3 years ago
Make a schedule of all your jobs and make sure they know you'll be adding their special requests to the last slot in the schedule.
Cari Owens 2 years ago
If someone says it won't take that long, ask them if they've ever done it. If the answer is no then ask "Then how do you know it won't take that long?"
Jp@nda 3 years ago
There's always somebody. Look, BP is not spell or grammar check okay.
Load More Replies... #47
I was asked to organize a bunch of baby showers for people. I don't have any kids. I don't think I'm particularly good at putting together events like that. I was the only girl under the manager that asked me to until about a year ago. I've moved from that team since, and the new girl gets asked to do them now.
Bron 3 years ago
I hate upvoting these cos it feels like I’m agreeing with the. Definitely am not!
Michael Largey 3 years ago
Sounds like there were more babies here than just the ones being born.
Debby Keir 3 years ago
How is the boss organising baby showers for an almost (except for you) all male environment? Are those guys preggers?
#48
This one is less of a rant because it was other women that realized why it was a problem, but decorate our side of the office for the holidays. I was one of a few women - and the most senior at the time - on a mostly male team. During the holidays, teams decorated their own space with decorations provided by the company. I came into work one morning and the decorations were on my desk. I set them on the empty desk next to me and left it. The HR team (all women) walked through later, realized what they'd done, and profusely apologized.
Elisabeth Clark 3 years ago
This seems more of a faux pas than anything awful based on gender or corporate/management. Annoying but eh, so?
#49
Was asked to attend job interviews with my boss, to not speak, sit and do nothing for the sole purpose of looking pretty and lure newcomers.
Michael Largey 3 years ago (edited)
"Well, boss, since you're going to take time away from my real job, which of its responsibilities are you relieving me?"
#50
They always look at me to cut up and serve the birthday cakes. Makes my blood boil.
Elisabeth Clark 3 years ago
Sliver slice it for the most 'important guests'... Make the company look as cheap and inhospitable as possible.
Load More Replies...
David Martin 3 years ago
I would gladly be in control of the size of cake slice everyone gets; I'd be curious how many times seeing me serve myself a giant piece it would take before anyone else steps up to say "Uhh, you know what? Lemme handle that instead"
Annette Easton 3 years ago
My rule: Birthday person should cut the cake. That way no one person is stuck doing it.
weatherwitch 3 years ago
I'd cut the slice then lick the cream filling off the knife itself (carefully) and go ohh this is gorgeous and carry on cutting the cake with the same tongue cleaned knife and licking until they get the message... 😉 Seriously though, I'm sorry they are assuming and taking you for granted 😔
Isabel Care 3 years ago
I'd serve myself and leave the knife for the next person...free for all cake wars
#51
Cleaning up the break room (wiping stuff down, cleaning out the fridge, doing the dishes...😤) My boss said to me "You should do it since it's a woman thing, you'd do it better and I'm not being sexist". I work with mostly men.
Octavia Hansen 3 years ago
I was assigned kitchen duty only once at a very mean company. Only rinsed the dishes & coffee pot (no scrubbing anything), and threw out EVERYTHING from the fridge (it was a Friday) -- tupperware, zip bags, water bottles, boxes and bags. I was finished in 5 minutes. Never asked to do it again!
#52
I was my boss's unpaid therapist and that guy would give Colin Robinson a run for his money
#53
Sweep up the mens cigarette butts outside in the parking lot and dispose of them. I don’t even smoke.
Cold Contagious 3 years ago
As a smoker, this should be the smokers responsibility to keep the area clean if the company doesn't have any janitorial services, not a female nonsmoking staff member. Asking an indoor employee period is asking for animosity for them to take on outdoor janitorial duties, but especially a nonsmoker cleaning up behind smokers...
#54
1 time at the ad agency I was working for the oldest colleague said ‘can you take the coffee cups with you’ after a meeting. 1. I’m a graphic designer, not the cleaning lady. 2. What the actual f. I took 2 cups and left the rest on the the table. He took nothing with him. But he was also the guy who said ‘oh are you eating that?’ When I was eating a piece of cake because someone brought it in for their birthday. Extremely old fashioned and sexist.
#55
I and the other woman in my old team were asked to cook breakfast for the team with the ingredients the boss bought
Phobrek Taz 3 years ago
Add in your own ingredient, Exlax. I know, dosing dumb men with laxatives is becoming my go-to, but to be fair, my first response is usually "just set them all on fire," so I feel good about de-escalating my own violent imaginings.
#56
At any employee event, women leaders were always asked to help serve food. In meetings, always asked to take notes.
#57
I was asked to clean out the fridge... and organize the shared kitchen space 🙄 I work with mostly males
#58
"To flirt some with the costumers because they will buy more." No, I'm serious, sadly.
FakeOptimist 3 years ago
Reminds me of my sister : when she was a waitress she and her colleages were told to take off engagement/wedding rings...
Phobrek Taz 3 years ago
To customer: "You know what guys I really like? Guys that know our competitor is selling a better product for less. At 123 Main Street, they're open til 5."
#59
Friend of mine is automatically assigned to drinks maker when they have meetings, she's head of marketing...
just me 3 years ago
When I first read this I thought of my dad making drinks when people come over, because he makes good drinks. Taken that way, this isn't enough to assume it's sexist. Maybe it's the word 'drinks?' If it had talked about 'get the coffee' or 'make the tea' I think it would hit my brain differently.
Renegade 3 years ago
How would you know she's the best mixologist if no one else is ever asked?
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#60
Being the mommy/therapist of every male co -worker my age when it comes to their relationship issues.
Tamra 3 years ago
Except they're at work, and should be treating her as a professional, not as a receptacle for their emotional garbage.
Load More Replies...
#61
Notes and organizing things is forever put on me. Also anything else no one else wants to deal with- or knows how to.
#62
We've had a couple of male coworkers that will tend to leave dishes in the sink for us girls to wash them.
Sally Close 3 years ago
I was a police officer several years ago and any officer (male or female - but mostly male) who left their crockery in the sink for someone else to wash got it thrown in the bin!!! Many cups and plates chucked out!!!
Spocks's Mom 3 years ago
I should have read your statement before I wrote mine, Sally. 🤣
Load More Replies... Spocks's Mom 3 years ago
I started throwing other employees dirty dishes in the trash. They either got put in the dumpster, or the offending employees had to dig them out. Oddly enough, everyone started doing their own dishes. I work with all women though.
#63
Basically like others said, being asked to do what they consider "women's work" Fortunately it's only a handful that think they can offload such tasks on me.
#64
I was a senior analyst in IT and was asked to make coffee, make catering arrangements, set up reservations. Never by IT, always by other departments. I told them I don't drink coffee and just sat there. I did the rest though.
Amused panda 3 years ago
Why? Unless you don't have other work to do and are twiddling your thumbs, talk to your manager about non-ICT related requests being made and ask where/who you should direct them to in future.
#65
My coworker cleans the office on the weekends, and when she can’t, always asks me and never the male colleagues. Disappointing.
#66
I was asked to make coffee. I just gave him a blank stare. Unbelievable.
Kayla Black 3 years ago
I only ever offer customers or visitors (outside higher ups coming in for meetings) coffee. If you work for the company I work for you can make your own fkn coffee. Once the man who started the company and who's name is on my shirt asked me to make him a coffee before a meeting. I was flabbergasted. Thankfully my department manager (male) stepped forward, offered to do it himself as he was about to make one for himself anyway (he wasn't) and after the meeting apologized to me for the big boss having asked me in the first place. That was nice
Phobrek Taz 3 years ago
I feel like a standard response women should have ready and loaded for early days in a new job is to pretend to somewhat mis-hear and say "oh hey thanks! I take it black, 2 sugar" (or whatever they prefer). Confuse these dumbasses into submission.
#68
My male coworkers expected me to make the coffee in the break room because women were better at things like that. They also left their coffee mugs in the sink for me to wash.
What do you think ?
Mad Dragon 3 years ago
My boss bought a bunch of plants for the office and told me it was my responsibility to keep them alive, because I am a woman and I should know how to tend plants. It has been seven years and I randomly tell him that they need bigger pots, more potting soil, fertilizer, and special lighting. I don’t actually know what I am doing, but the plants are thriving and he does whatever I tell him to do. It’s kind of fun.
Erik Ivan 3 years ago
So I live in Sweden. At almost every workplace I have been on, there have been a list with rotation where EVERYONE take turn to make the coffee (and making sure there are some cookies). Then EVERYONE is expected to put their mug into the dishwasher, and the person making the coffee that week empties the machine when it's done.
Arizona Cowboy 3 years ago
As an independent man since I was in my teens I cannot stress how embarrassed I'd be by even asking someone to do basic things - let alone assume it was a woman's job ... Ladies, please raise your kids to be independent functioning human beings. Both sexes. Let them learn personal responsibility, how to fail gracefully and respect.
Julie Daly 3 years ago
LADIES please .... How About addressing parents, and stop blaming women. Also society, monkey see, monkey do. Boy watch MEN.
Load More Replies...
Cat Palmer 3 years ago
As a young person in my second ever job a senior manager (who was a well known bully) ordered me to find and book a restaurant for his wedding anniversary. When I politely told him that wasn't my job (I did IT support) he made a formal complaint that I had sworn and thrown something at him when he asked a work-related question. He then generously volunteered to investigate the complaint HE MADE - I told him I would be bringing a rep from the staff union to any meetings and the whole thing was quietly dropped.
urszulat 3 years ago
This is a really dispiriting thread. More women must start saying No - or, at the very least, politely declining.
Bron 3 years ago
And men need to stop asking or expecting women to do things the don’t even consider asking men to do
Load More Replies...
Jane Doe 3 years ago
I was asked to start vacuuming the floors and clean the kitchen (hired to be the service manager of an agricultural equipment workshop) I said no problem if i could see the monthly cleaning roster to ensure the parts manager and sales manager would be sharing the chores. They hired a cleaner
Scarlett 3 years ago
I got told at my very first job to make a cake for some event thing. I was the only girl working there. I was 16 and too scared to say no, so I just made a cake the way I thought one should be made and brought it in. It was flat, bland, and dry as a bone. They never asked me again.
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 3 years ago
There’s a huge IT and communications company where I currently work. The male coders are treated like literal gods and have catered meals and fun days and are paid much more than female counterparts. Female project managers are treated like literal cattle that have to cater to every single whim of the mostly male coding team from organizing their days to being personal secretaries-don’t forget that these women are also managing huge multimillion accounts. If something goes wrong with a project, the female project managers are always the first to be blamed for being lazy, incompetent, or not working hard enough. It’s always “what can the female project managers” do to help our little group of male coder gods to feel better.
Florence O'Grady 3 years ago
Please find yourself a better company to work for. May God bless you in finding the right place for you, with the best benefits.
Load More Replies... pelemele 3 years ago (edited)
A while ago I was watching a women's track and field event on television. I no longer remember the name of the discipline but it consists of running over a certain distance by chaining acrobatic jumps to the end. At the end of their passage, the athlete and the trainer wait on a sofa for the judges' scores. Whatever their nationality, it was striking that whenever the coach was a man, he sat in the middle, taking up all the space, whereas when the coach was a woman, she sat on the side, leaving the middle place to the athlete.... Incredible...
Mad Dragon 3 years ago
My boss bought a bunch of plants for the office and told me it was my responsibility to keep them alive, because I am a woman and I should know how to tend plants. It has been seven years and I randomly tell him that they need bigger pots, more potting soil, fertilizer, and special lighting. I don’t actually know what I am doing, but the plants are thriving and he does whatever I tell him to do. It’s kind of fun.
Erik Ivan 3 years ago
So I live in Sweden. At almost every workplace I have been on, there have been a list with rotation where EVERYONE take turn to make the coffee (and making sure there are some cookies). Then EVERYONE is expected to put their mug into the dishwasher, and the person making the coffee that week empties the machine when it's done.
Arizona Cowboy 3 years ago
As an independent man since I was in my teens I cannot stress how embarrassed I'd be by even asking someone to do basic things - let alone assume it was a woman's job ... Ladies, please raise your kids to be independent functioning human beings. Both sexes. Let them learn personal responsibility, how to fail gracefully and respect.
Julie Daly 3 years ago
LADIES please .... How About addressing parents, and stop blaming women. Also society, monkey see, monkey do. Boy watch MEN.
Load More Replies... Cat Palmer 3 years ago
As a young person in my second ever job a senior manager (who was a well known bully) ordered me to find and book a restaurant for his wedding anniversary. When I politely told him that wasn't my job (I did IT support) he made a formal complaint that I had sworn and thrown something at him when he asked a work-related question. He then generously volunteered to investigate the complaint HE MADE - I told him I would be bringing a rep from the staff union to any meetings and the whole thing was quietly dropped.
urszulat 3 years ago
This is a really dispiriting thread. More women must start saying No - or, at the very least, politely declining.
Bron 3 years ago
And men need to stop asking or expecting women to do things the don’t even consider asking men to do
Load More Replies... Jane Doe 3 years ago
I was asked to start vacuuming the floors and clean the kitchen (hired to be the service manager of an agricultural equipment workshop) I said no problem if i could see the monthly cleaning roster to ensure the parts manager and sales manager would be sharing the chores. They hired a cleaner
Scarlett 3 years ago
I got told at my very first job to make a cake for some event thing. I was the only girl working there. I was 16 and too scared to say no, so I just made a cake the way I thought one should be made and brought it in. It was flat, bland, and dry as a bone. They never asked me again.
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 3 years ago
There’s a huge IT and communications company where I currently work. The male coders are treated like literal gods and have catered meals and fun days and are paid much more than female counterparts. Female project managers are treated like literal cattle that have to cater to every single whim of the mostly male coding team from organizing their days to being personal secretaries-don’t forget that these women are also managing huge multimillion accounts. If something goes wrong with a project, the female project managers are always the first to be blamed for being lazy, incompetent, or not working hard enough. It’s always “what can the female project managers” do to help our little group of male coder gods to feel better.
Florence O'Grady 3 years ago
Please find yourself a better company to work for. May God bless you in finding the right place for you, with the best benefits.
Load More Replies... pelemele 3 years ago (edited)
A while ago I was watching a women's track and field event on television. I no longer remember the name of the discipline but it consists of running over a certain distance by chaining acrobatic jumps to the end. At the end of their passage, the athlete and the trainer wait on a sofa for the judges' scores. Whatever their nationality, it was striking that whenever the coach was a man, he sat in the middle, taking up all the space, whereas when the coach was a woman, she sat on the side, leaving the middle place to the athlete.... Incredible...
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