I work in tech support on a team with both guys and girls. I’m a woman, and honestly, me and the other woman on the team carry most of the weight. The guys do work, it’s not like they do absolutely nothing—but they definitely don’t do as much as we do. If we didn’t pick up the slack, a lot of the tickets would just sit there untouched.
What really gets to me is that they get praised way more than we do. Like, it’s not even subtle. They’ll get shoutouts or compliments for doing the bare minimum, while we’re over here juggling way more and getting barely acknowledged. It’s exhausting.
At first, I liked our manager (she’s also a woman), but the more time goes on, the more I realize she just kind of lets it slide. It feels like no one’s holding them accountable, and no one really sees or cares how uneven the workload is. It’s starting to really wear on me.
I’m planning to start applying to other jobs soon, but I’m just wondering—has anyone else been in a similar situation? Did you speak up about it? Did anything change, or did you end up having to leave? It’s just super frustrating and I’m trying to figure out the best move.
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Women must be exceptional where men only have to meet standards. That’s how it is in male-dominated fields. You and a coworker or two could raise this concern with your manager.
Or collectively decide to just do the same amount of work as the guys.
So when the team (your team) receives praise, you’re taking score based on the gender of teammate? And you’ve spent time on proving to yourself in hard metrics that the ticket performance discrepancy is not only true, but exists in a straight line between genders?
This is real. It can be endemic to the team, or the entire company culture. Appealing to your manager or HR won’t fix the problem and might paint you as a complainer.
How long have you been in this role and with this employer? IT Support is a grind even on “good” teams. Maybe there’s a chance to move up and out of this team.
Source: am female and work in IT.
You could start seeing if you can keep metrics. Like ticket closure rates, reopened tickets, etc and then present them to your boss while asking for a raise. “As you can see here, I am the top (or top two) ticket closure and customer satisfaction. I would like to see what we an do about a raise.” Possibly showing the stark reality that YOU are better will help. I suspect your male colleagues are talking themselves up more and presenting themselves as hard working (see if you see this trend on your work teams chat / discord etc). Part of career development is talking your self up and showcasing your skills and achievements.
(Said as a female who manages a fairly large IT team)
Sounds like you could realistically find yourself in a management position if you really are pulling all that weight. Might be easier to fix that gender discrepancy in a management role.
I’ve never worked at a job where this didn’t happen. This is why I almost always vote for a woman — she actually needs to do the job.
I feel ya. But be careful about complaining. I did and it didn’t go well. When layoffs came around, guess who was on the chopping block? It’s tons of fun losing a high-paying job that I busted my ass doing for years only to watch the lazy pieces of shit come in after me and still get to keep theirs. These guys weren’t just lazy, they also regularly left a couple hours before their shift ended. They stole pc parts to fund their side businesses. Just really pathetic assholes. But they got ahead and I got canned. By the way, our manager was also a woman. It doesn’t matter. I spoke up and she decided it was easier to get rid of the girl making waves and keep the losers that never opened their mouths. I guess they all got the last laugh.
Personally, and keep in mind I don’t work IT, I would stop picking up the extra projects. Work to rule, that means follow the rules but stop going above and beyond. They aren’t acknowledging all the extra work you’re doing, and if you aren’t being paid by the project, then stop doing it. Let the guys pick up the slack.
Don’t pick up the slack.
u/BurbNBougie
I’ll take things that don’t happen for $500 Alex.
I’ve worked in an office where this happened, although it wasn’t gendered. I’d be doing my thing, calls and paperwork, then need to go downstairs and help serve customers. The queue is too long despite 3 staff down there. I race through 15 customers in the time that A and B serve 3 each and C is still serving the first customer and having a grand old time. I go back up to catch up on my work, and at the weekly meeting C is getting congratulated for her wonderful manner with customers!
I let it slide at first, but I was burning myself out and doing most of the work for the same pay and zero recognition or thanks.
Welcome to being a woman in a male-dominated field.
We have to really step up and advocate for ourselves, which goes against everything we’ve been taught from birth.
Girls are expected to sit quietly and do their work. To help when anyone asks without complaint. To be overly nice while our male coworkers are being actively rude. To take care of administrative tasks when everyone else refuses. The list goes on.
We have a whole sub where we talk about these things – r/womenintech.