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May 11, 2004
Already Tuesday
It's been a tough couple of days. I am here to complete the last week of a three week implentation. I did not do the first two weeks- a golden boy in our group was here. And guess what. He did everything. Wrong.
So, I had to strip out all of his work and start from scratch. He also failed to train the client - so I am trying to fit 3 weeks of work into one week - again.
I am not a member of the National Organization for Women, and I am pro-life, and I think that if a mom can stay home with the kids, that's the best thing possible for the children - much better than daycare or just letting the guvmint take over all our childcare tasks.
However, the technical field is full of men. It is an old boy network. Everywhere. No one can convince me that there is a technical company in the entire universe that treats women on an equal basis with men.
Men expect us to clean up their fricking messes in this business - and they except you to not rat them out to the bosses as to who is really doing the work.
Sorry - I'm just pissed. I'm really pissed. I am more billable than anyone else in our group - but an award goes to golden boy because he worked harder than he used to work (that's the reasoning I was given). So WTF. Why should I work my ass off when I'm not going to get awarded more than a couple of movie tickets.
harumph.
Posted by Beth at May 11, 2004 7:13 PM
Comments
Ah well, a bad trip. Sorry Beth. Competent people are rare in the tech field - male or female. My trip 2 weeks ago was kinda like that. The guy that was working behind me hadn't done a single thing completely or competently - not ONE thing - that he was supposed to do.
The good news is since you are away from home you can deal with the problem without feeling guilty about missing your kid's birthday or softball game. The way I always feel about it is when I'm on the road I don't have anything else to do anyway - might as well be working. :)
You'll get it fixed. And your company will appreciate it I'm sure.
Posted by: Calliope at May 11, 2004 7:25 PM
I don't know if it helps, but I've been there, Beth. When I started out of college 16 years ago in a highly technical and male dominated field, I was appalled by how I was treated. I never expected it. Professors had never alluded to it, my father had always told me I could do anything, imagine my great surprise when I was swallowed by the Good Old Boys Network. It is everywhere. My younger sister fights it every day, also in a technical company. I am of the same belief as you, that there is not a technical company out there that treats women like equals. For the record, I was always ranked at the top of my group and busted my back like you do. It is horribly frustrating.
Posted by: Boudicca at May 11, 2004 8:02 PM
"Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily this is not difficult."
Charlotte Whitton, Canada Month, June 1963
Of course, the proper Strathcona response is "Perseverence".
Cheers
JMH
Posted by: J.M. Heinrichs at May 11, 2004 9:01 PM