A 29-year-old woman from Illinois has shared her distressing experience of gender discrimination at work, revealing that her probationary period was extended due to the biases of a factory co-owner who does not approve of women in traditionally male roles. The woman, who works as an industrial mechanic at a bread factory, detailed her ordeal in a Reddit post, explaining that despite performing her job well, she is being penalized solely for her gender.
Probation Extension Amid Alleged Gender Bias
In her Reddit post on the “antiwork” community, the woman, who goes by the username “mxqueen976,” explained that she had been working at the factory for nearly three months, during which her job performance had never been questioned. She claimed that she had never been late or called off from work and had received no complaints about her performance. However, she was informed by her employer that her probationary period would be extended for an additional 30 days—not due to her performance but because of the co-owner’s “old school” views against women in the industrial trade.
“I am still in the probationary period (2 out of 3 months done). I was told today that my probationary period will be extended to 4 months instead of 3. Not because of job performance. Zero complaints. Not because of attendance. Never been late or called off. But because I am a woman and the co-owner doesn’t like to see females in traditional male roles,” she shared.
Frustration and Plans for Legal Action
The woman also expressed frustration about her situation, saying, “It is apparently my duty to prove to the co-owner that I am worth keeping on board by forcing me to be on an additional month’s probation.” She shared her concerns about the difficulty of finding work in her field, stating that she regretted entering the trades and was trying to leave her job before it became too late.
In an update, the woman shared that she had taken steps to fight back against the unfair treatment. She had paid the initiation fee for a local union, and a union representative was set to meet with her and the factory’s HR department. “Union representative is on the way! He will arrive at 11 am, so I will force the HR meeting when he arrives,” she wrote, adding that she was relieved to learn that the union would indeed represent her during her probation period, contrary to previous information.
A Call for Change in Workplace Culture
The woman’s experience highlights ongoing challenges women face in male-dominated industries. Her post has garnered widespread support online, with many Reddit users expressing outrage at the discrimination she’s facing. This case sheds light on the need for companies to reassess their policies and workplace cultures to ensure fairness and equality for all employees, regardless of gender.
As the situation unfolds, the woman’s story serves as a reminder of the obstacles women continue to face in traditionally male-dominated roles and the importance of standing up against workplace discrimination.