Men 'wary' of women on site

Male construction workers are wary of the increasing numbers of female colleagues, which they claim increases the risks of being accused of sexual harassment.

Other fears, relayed in a Hill McGlynn Recruitment Solutions survey, included having to watch their language and being distracted from their work.

According to the men surveyed, sex discrimination, family responsibilities and heavy work are stopping women getting ahead in this traditionally male business.

However, 71 per cent believe that the number of women in construction is increasing and three-quarters believe that women enhance the industry by good communications and negotiating skills.

The research was carried out in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds and Southampton, amongst a sample of 100 men and 3 women.

The news comes after Construction Minister Nick Raynsford met with industry representatives last Wednesday to discuss improving the opportunities for women and ethnic minorities in the industry.

Particular themes identified during the meeting were:

l The importance to the image of the industry in attracting recruits.

l The need to change the attitude of teachers and career advisers, as well as the industry.

l The ties with the Construction Task Force's emphasis on respect for the individual.

l The need for awareness of equal opportunities at all levels of an organisation.

Of those who responded to the Hill McGlynn survey, 96 per cent expected women to be found in secretarial or administrative jobs, and 81 per cent in sales. However, 64 per cent expected to encounter female architects and 60 per cent expected female quantity surveyors. Women were least expected to be employed in trades.

Some 64 per cent of men thought that the biggest problem facing women was discrimination, 49 per cent thought that balancing work and family responsibilities was a problem, and 47 per cent thought that the problem was heavy work.

Men thought women brought skills to the construction industry, 75 per cent rated them as good communicators, 51 per cent good negotiators, and 39 per cent thought they were just as likely as men to gain promotion.

Hill McGlynn managing director Stephen Hill said: "It is clear from the results of this research that we still have much to do in the construction industry, not just in the training and development of our employees, but in changing attitudes."