This will probably get a little shade, but every job I’ve had women end up taking on significantly more administrative work then their male counterparts. I’m not talking admin professionals. In general, my male peers don’t schedule their own meetings, process any paperwork, or generally do anything administrative. Admins in the office will do their work but resist helping the ladies (I swear I’m super nice to them but maybe too nice??), and I’ve even had admins try to get me to do admin work of my male peers! I’m sure much of that is subconscious expectation from women themselves and others, but I’ve also noticed my male peers just seem really good at getting out of this kind of thing. I know some of y’all will deny this happens but surely some of you guys have noticed this is a thing. I’m jealous. Any tips?? I’d love to not get bogged down with extra stuff than my peers.
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Probably in the same way that women pretty much ALWAYS get out of having to do any of the physical aspects of jobs… lifting things, moving things, dirty jobs, etc.
In every job I’ve been in… women always seem to find a way to get out of that stuff and it ends up falling on men… even when they are clearly capable.
Practice saying the word “no” when someone asks you to do their job for them.
Which field?
And, yes, you are probably being too “nice”. Men will respect you more if you stand up for yourself and set appropriate boundaries (they may whine about it, but you can ignore that).
In a professional environment, you can expect people of any gender to be able to manage basic admin tasks.
Some workplaces have a culture where women are expected to be the “secretary” for everyone regardless of their title and role. If you are in that environment, my first suggestion is to seek opportunities elsewhere (easier said than done, I know).
You can also tell more and ask less. For example, if you have a meeting and a follow up meeting needs to be scheduled, give that task to a male coworker (with enough brain cells to manage a calendar). Don’t ask. Just tell them to do it, as if they were a competent adult in a professional environment.
It’s because women are less likely to say no, especially if they’re of the more pleasant personality types. Then, once an expectation gets set, they keep running with it. You say no. If they push, say no again, and very openly state that it is [name]’s responsibility to do that. If they can’t, then either replace them or approve an assistant for them.
Although, don’t take it too personally. In every job I’ve ever had, I’ve always ended up doing the bulk of the manual work. No reasons, even if I’m not supposed to do it (one position literally said there is no lifting requirement, whereas the women’s positions clearly did state as much) aside from “I have testicles”.
My mom used to be like that. Her job was supposed to be what the clients saw/dealt with when they needed something and then she was supposed to tell the right people to do whatever they needed. Instead she just took it all on herself. She worked most weekends, usually a few hours but sometimes a full day. Started early most days and finished late almost every day. I asked her all the time why she didn’t tell someone else to do the work especially for things that weren’t her job and she always responded “you’ll understand when you get a job”
I’ve had a “real” job for 6 years now, been working for 11 total I think. I now understand completely that people constantly took advantage of the fact she couldn’t say no. It’s that simple. “Can you do these reports?” “No I’m busy” I’ve gotten promotions, raises, my review is always good, never mattered that I said no. Just say no.
By not working in an office.
Gather your like minded coworkers and destroy the broken copier that represents your mutual frustration.
“Admins in the office will do their work but resist helping the ladies”
Equality.
You’ll have to get more assertive and practice saying “no” more often while also meaning it. This also works great at closing the gender pay gap.
> I’ve also noticed my male peers just seem really good at getting out of this kind of thing
Regardless of gender, competence will be punished at some workplaces, so whomever is doing the admin stuff successfully will have more admin stuff dumped on them until there are complaints.