A double standard

[a_minimalist]

I work with basically all women at my job. They give me all of the heavy lifting and manual labor because I am a man. The manager actually said exactly that today. Am I the only one who sees a double standard here? If it was all men and one women and they made her clean because she is a woman a lawsuit would be filed in a split second.

Luckily, I'm leaving this part-time job since I finally found a full-time gig but even though I'm leaving in a week, the principle still bothers me. Am I the only one who sees a double standard here? If I was a woman and they were men it would be a case of sexism, no?

[IAMKING]

Of course if it was the other way lawsuits would be filed but you're a man suck it up

[zrinkill]

Originally Posted by IAMKING

you're a man suck it up

[basstapp]

If I was the only man in the department I would be more inclined to do heavy lifting rather then have a woman do it. I can see your discrimination point of view, but its just culturally acceptable for men to do that type of work.

[joseephuss]

Originally Posted by a_minimalist

I work with basically all women at my job. They give me all of the heavy lifting and manual labor because I am a man. The manager actually said exactly that today. Am I the only one who sees a double standard here? If it was all men and one women and they made her clean because she is a woman a lawsuit would be filed in a split second.

Luckily, I'm leaving this part-time job since I finally found a full-time gig but even though I'm leaving in a week, the principle still bothers me. Am I the only one who sees a double standard here? If I was a woman and they were men it would be a case of sexism, no?

They could say you are the most qualified to do the heavy lifting because you are the strongest. Are you? Maybe you bring the requisite skills and talents to get that manual labor done the best. That would be different than saying it is because you are just a man. Can you say the same about cleaning? Is a woman inherently more qualified to clean?

[jobberone]

Originally Posted by basstapp

If I was the only man in the department I would be more inclined to do heavy lifting rather then have a woman do it. I can see your discrimination point of view, but its just culturally acceptable for men to do that type of work.

For me the rub would lie in their not appreciating it or even demanding I do it. I would prefer to do that but they shouldn't expect it. If the job is too demanding for a woman then salary should be a consideration.

[a_minimalist]

Originally Posted by basstapp

If I was the only man in the department I would be more inclined to do heavy lifting rather then have a woman do it. I can see your discrimination point of view, but its just culturally acceptable for men to do that type of work.

Well, when did it become culturally acceptable for gender roles in the workplace for men and not women?

[a_minimalist]

Originally Posted by jobberone

For me the rub would lie in their not appreciating it or even demanding I do it. I would prefer to do that but they shouldn't expect it. If the job is too demanding for a woman then salary should be a consideration.

That's probably what bothers me most. It's absolutely expected of me because I'm 6'4 230lbs. But, there's no appreciation and no increase in pay. When hired every person has to sign a contract that states they are capable of lifting 50lbs. Every single task that requires lifting more than 10lbs goes directly to me.

I'd have no problem doing it as it is relatively easy for me. It's the fact that it's expected and I'm told I'm given laborious tasks because I am a man. If I wanted a job that involved this kind of manual labor I'd get a construction job or landscaping job while looking for a full time job. I'd at least be paid appropriately for that kind of work.

[a_minimalist]

Originally Posted by joseephuss

They could say you are the most qualified to do the heavy lifting because you are the strongest. Are you? Maybe you bring the requisite skills and talents to get that manual labor done the best. That would be different than saying it is because you are just a man. Can you say the same about cleaning? Is a woman inherently more qualified to clean?

That's not the point. I wasn't hired based on my size. The whole group was hired for the exact same position.

[joseephuss]

Originally Posted by a_minimalist

That's not the point. I wasn't hired based on my size. The whole group was hired for the exact same position.

No, you were hired for different reasons. Things evolve. They see you can do more than what you were hired for. Your size and strength seem to matter. Maybe you should ask for a raise because you are doing more.

My point is more if it did go to HR or something they have a way out. They don't have to point to you being a man, but rather you are just the strongest of the group. I don't see how they would be able to do the same in your example of a woman cleaning.

[rocboy22]

It is a double standard, but everyone accepts it, so it has to be dealt with. No matter what people try to do or say, life is not "fair".

[Dallas]

OP has a point.

I wouldn't do it. I would ask Connie or the pregnant chic. Why should I slip a disc over some girl who cant move a table?

[vta]

Ask 'em to iron your shirt after you're done.

What exactly is your job and what were you hired for?

And you are right, perception being the all mighty for today's generation if a woman perceived her role as being slandered sexually you'd have to fight double hard to disprove it.

[Joe Rod]

Just demand they do all of the stereotypical lady stuff (cleaning, getting you a beer, etc) and call it a day

[a_minimalist]

Originally Posted by vta

Ask 'em to iron your shirt after you're done.

What exactly is your job and what were you hired for?

And you are right, perception being the all mighty for today's generation if a woman perceived her role as being slandered sexually you'd have to fight double hard to disprove it.

It's a basic sales job at a clothing store. It's the same position every seasonal employee was hired for