Shauna
The local factory in my town makes all female applicants take a pregnancy test as part of the interview process. I didn’t know this was unusual until I started reading Everyday Sexism
Ireland
Alannah
In school, so many boys joke about womens rights an how they ‘dont exist’. i know that theyre joking but it happens on a daily basis. The phrase ‘get back in the kitchen’ is also grossly overused. They are all 16-17 and im just worried that it might not stop.
Alexis
I work in a market. A man claimed to be friends with my female boss, and started talking about strong women. He then touched my arm affectionately even though I never met him before. He then talked about how a certain ‘strong’ woman he knew and said how she “would never let a man touch her, like here” and he proceeded to go on to touch me lightly on my thigh. I walked away, I couldn’t believe I didn’t earlier but I feel completely frozen when that happens in social situations: I was worried Id compromise my boss being too rude to this man (when he touched my arm twice) until it was too late. My boss told me later I can tell them where to go, but I feel concerned about how socialized I am to accept this.
Aoife
Last week at an interview for a technology company in Dublin, Ireland, I was asked if I was married, if I had children, and how I would feel working in a “male dominated workplace”. I am 26. How many 26 year old men are asked their marital status and if they have/plan on having children?
Aoife, DUBLIN, Ireland
So i came back to work after 2 weeks off as I was getting married. I noticed, that after i got married I started getting left out of meetings, certain projects and wasn’t asked to go on long haul business trips any longer. I started to feel crazy and paranoid so I bit the bullet and went to the HR manager. SHE (yes SHE) told me that it was ‘to give me a break’ – I said, why? i haven’t been sick, I’m fine – why would i need a break? SHE said – well, the guys (directors) decided its probably best to leave you to it as we assume you’ll be having a baby as soon as possible, you know, it stands to reason. I saw RED – and asked why they came to that conclusion. ‘well, you’re 36… and if not now, when?’ I told them its none of their business when or if i CHOOSE to have children. I was met with blank stares, nods and shrugs. I feel like ive been left behind.
Aoife, DUBLIN, Ireland
So i came back to work after 2 weeks off as I was getting married. I noticed, that after i got married I started getting left out of meetings, certain projects and wasn’t asked to go on long haul business trips any longer. I started to feel crazy and paranoid so I bit the bullet and went to the HR manager. SHE (yes SHE) told me that it was ‘to give me a break’ – I said, why? i haven’t been sick, I’m fine – why would i need a break? SHE said – well, the guys (directors) decided its probably best to leave you to it as we assume you’ll be having a baby as soon as possible, you know, it stands to reason. I saw RED – and asked why they came to that conclusion. ‘well, you’re 36… and if not now, when?’ I told them its none of their business when or if i CHOOSE to have children. I was met with blank stares, nods and shrugs. I feel like ive been left behind.