Is it really a man's world?

[peon40]

Utah: I am a female 42 yr old non-exempt salaried employee at a plant that only has men in the production of our product. I am also the only female in the place. I am not permitted overtime, am not permitted to work weekends or holidays, even though the guys can, plus even the male temporary employees can work and get more money for the overtime they work. We have three job openings in the plant on the production side. I have asked to move into one of the lower positions, but was declined because I am a woman. I have asked to work the overtime they give to the temporary guys and was told no. I am a good employee with a good work history and attendance. My children are grown and I am available to work the rotating shifts. I am also more qualified to do the open jobs than the temps they bring into the plant. If I did this job I would double my income. All I hear is how the guys need to make more money... they have families to support... you can't do the physical work.. etc.. I am able to lift the 50 LBS required for the job, have the mechanical aptitude necessary for the repairs to the equipment, and am able to work the different shifts. I checked with the guys who do that job and they said yes I could do it. The Plant Manager said I would have to do some of the repairs on the equipment, even though none of the guys have to do that. He also stated that a woman would have to put him to the ground before he would hire one for his plants. He also said the company would not put a woman in our plant. The ad he placed in the paper said you would have to have a mechanical aptitude (which I have) to perform repairs to the equipment, and perform sanitation work in our facility (sweeping and cleaning), and be available for rotating shifts. I am able to perform all the duties associated with this job. The supervisor over the job said he wouldn't have a problem with having a woman doing it if she can pass the physical required by the company for all the production employees.

One of their other problems with it is that they would have to replace me and it is very hard to find someone who can do all the things I do on my job. It took them 2 months to find me after they fired the girl that used to do my job. But it isn't fair to hold me back just because they would have to find someone for my job.

What can I do to get them to let me have this job? If I got this job I would double my income. I tried to explain that to them, but I still hit a brick wall. Right now temporary employees make more money than I do, have no experience and are alloud to work overtime, giving them a much higher paycheck than mine.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

Peon40 in SLC, Utah

 

[ALawyer]

What they are doing seems BLATANTLY illegal under Federal and State laws.

Have you documented this with details as to who said what and dates and times? If not start now. Also, go back now to reconstruct what happened, who was there, who said what (exactly), etc.

See also if you can have a lawyer take this on your behalf. If this is a national company that has a similar pattern of doing this elsewhere there might be a great case. If not, I don't know what to say as it tends to become your word against theirs -- and you can bet they'll change there story after speaking to their own lawyer -- and of course they'll make up some excure to fire you, afte5r which you could go the the EEOC.

 

[peon40]

Is it really a man's world.. more

SLC, UT: ok, I have found out that our company has NO WOMEN in any of the production sides of the plants. Yes, this is a National Company! They have a policy that the office people can't transfer into the plant, and they don't bring women back for a second interview when they have a job opening. They usually hire from temporary services who are told to only bring in men and don't normally accept applications at our location. Anyway, what do I do now?
Thanks,
peon40 in Salt Lake City, UT