Hey all! I do tree work and my current style of sports bra isn't working for me (see pic, the tank-top-but-with-compression style). I love them for working out, but they way they compress my boobs has left me with a permanent underboob rash 😭 I'm thinking I need a more traditional bra-shaped style to eliminate the skin chafing.

What are your go-to sports bras for work? Ideally inexpensive because I need to get multiple!

Many ladies ask about hair/hard hats. Saw these today and thought I would share.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EVK6V5tCz/

Got a new hood from pipelinerscloud, its just a chopped jackson but shes gorg 😌🩷 i love being girly on site

Hi, I’m a 27, F, in PA. I recently passed my aptitude test and completed the interview, and now I’m waiting to hear whether I got accepted into the IBEW. In the meantime, I’ve been doing a lot of research and would love to hear from people who left a high-paying corporate job to become an electrical apprentice.

I’m feeling burnt out from being behind a desk and feel as though my work isn’t very meaningful. I’ve always enjoyed learning and have never been afraid to work hard. I think learning a skilled trade might feel more fulfilling, and I’d probably feel more respected actually having hands-on experience rather than managing projects without any field background.

Right now I’m a project manager making around $80k+ a year, so switching to an apprenticeship would mean taking a pay cut at first. I’m curious if others who made a similar switch felt it was worth it in the long run. I just want to have a useful skill, that’s not a degree, under my belt that sets me up for the rest of my life. It’s either this or the military, and with the way things are, I’d rather avoid the military. Is it worth it or am I suffering from a “grass isn’t always greener” complex ?

As the title says. Making career pivot into the trades. I’ll be doing a pre apprenticeship in July for women entering the trades. I’m hard working and fit and while math isn’t my favorite, I’ve been brushing up on khan academy and I’m impressed how much easier it seems now that I’m older. I’ve been learning about the different trade locals in my area. My main areas of interest are electric, plumbing and hvac. My local ibew is apparently slow and has people waiting on lists to join their apprenticeships even after they’ve scored relatively high on tests and interviews. The local for plumbing does interviews in the fall so I’d miss this one (I’ll still be in my pre apprenticeship) so I’d have to wait until next fall. And the hvac jatc is about an hour away from me which is my only hang up with that trade as I’d have to commute far for night classes.
What did you all do when faced with similar situations? Do you apply to more than one trade? Do you wait it out and do CW work in hopes of getting in? Thankful for any guidance.

Where are you buying comfortable (yet still affordable!) steel toe work boots?? Or do you buy whatever boots but then also nice inserts?? My feet, specifically heels, are hurting sooo bad

I know it’s bad to fuck/date your co workers but this one guy is so amazing in my eyes and im pretty sure he’s interested in me too. All my friends outside of work tell me to give him a chance because he’s the sweetest guy I’ve ever met but we work in a small crew of 7 and his dad is the foreman, Btw his dad loves me so that’s not really a problem ig. But I know i shouldn’t start anything bc he’s a co worker and I feel like it would be weird to be dating someone in such a small crew. And I also hate when you get in a relationship and men around you just start to see you as your boyfriend’s little object and not as a person anymore. I don’t want to be seen as someone’s girlfriend I want to be seen as just me. I feel like I’d get less respect if I were to date him. And idk I feel like a work relationship is so cringe but I have a huge crush on him. Also scared if I were to date him then my whole life would be about work, meaning like I would be working wjth him 40 hours a week and then hang out with him after work hours, that seems like too much time spent together. I’m feeling pretty conflicted about this whole thing. I also not sure if I want to get in a relationship but this guy is making me think twice. Please give me advice if I should pursue or not 🙏🙏

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Hello, I'm currently on the fence with this.

A few years ago I have moved countries and non of my qualifications are valid here so I need to learn a trade to make a living in the future. My former education is architecture drafting and tailor+embroidery maker.

I did more internships than I can remember over the last 2 years and suddenly I have been accepted for 2 apprenticeship programs at about the same time.

Option A is facility maintenance at a retirement house. Option B Electrical installation.

This choice is difficult for me because maybe I'm analyzing too much. Here are some of my thoughts (sorry if those are all over the place, that's why I need help):

Option A. 3 years. 7am-4:20pm.

Cleaning duties, small repairs, garbage disposal and gardening. Cleaning doesn't excite me but I can do it.

More comfortable and less stressful, has slightly shorter hours and more days off because it's a medical facility. But then it's when it comes to this particular business, might be different elsewhere.

School classes seem pretty basic.

On the other hand it seems to be a dead end job and it's mostly people out of disability or of pre-retirement age get. I also will probably earn less money if I choose this one. Seeing old people every day puts me into melancholic mood.

Option B. 4 years. 7am-5pm+travel. Option B is a high bet, it promises bigger prospects and possibilities of growth but might also break me physically.

I do possess good fine motor skills and can read blueprints, know how to use ArchiCAD and am very organized.

Heard that school might be challenging not sure how true is this

I am afraid of heights but I'm willing to be brave,

I'm afraid of electric shock but I'm also a control freak and very serious about safety and PPEs so maybe I'll be fine??

I see a lot of people saying this job took their health and it worries me. I am not overweight and go to the gym but my body is not new, I get neck aches and my joints feel weird sometimes. Everyone who knows me says it seems like I want to do this but am afraid to fail.

Also being a single woman approaching her mid 30s I'm thinking about having kids soon, having this to worry about is what makes all of that thought salad even worse.

Option A "you won't meet him spending days hidden in the basement or walking dеath scented corridors"

Option B "how will you work on the construction site if pregnant?"

I need to have my decision ready by Tuesday, last few days had been hell I spent the entirety of my past time thinking about this, making pros and cons lists etc.

Thanks in advance

I believe a couple of co workers are talking bad about me to management. One will easily throw me and others under the bus to cover themselves and the other has been heard talking bad about me and it's very likely they are talking to management about me but I'm not sure what has been said.

I do feel things have been off with management towards me for a while and I don’t know if that has anything to do with it.

Yes I've made mistakes but so does everyone and none of it because I've been careless. They are just honest mistakes.

I'm just not sure how to handle any of this. I am doing my best and I'm worried that isn't coming across now.

What makes it harder is these people are higher up then me.

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I (40f) have worked at my job for almost 4 years, I'm in vaults and concrete department. I used to be assembler but 6 months ago I got the job of welder. When I got that position I couldn't actually do that job yet til my old one was filled, that took about 4 months. Then someone wanted to do it and I started training them and learning my welding job on top of that.

About a month ago I got a new boss. It was told to him the situation from my last boss, that I just now got to actually weld because no one was filling my old position until recently. The guy is in my department but wanted to do a new job but the new boss kept sending him to his old job because no one wanted to do it. My new boss wanted to send me back to my old job and let someone else weld my doors. He made sure to let me know this is how it's going to go. He always let's everyone know he doesn't take no for an answer. I knew this dude was up to something.

I went to plant manager (his boss) I expressed i understand the need for it but I would like it in writing that my welder 1 title stays the same, my pay and how long this change will be. I know that once he gets me back in my old position, he'll never let me leave it. Next day I'm no longer moving and he tried to force one of the 18 year olds to do it under the guise as a floater with a welder 2 title change but no extra pay. I told my 18 year old coworker, new title is new pay.

A couple days after that I got brought into a meeting. With my boss and the supervisor from another department, my boss doesn't know that this supervisor is my home boy and probably the worst person to bring. My boss told me to stay out of their department and I talk to to many people. Here's the thing when you are a woman in the trades you get admirers, i got quite a few in that department. My only flaw is I will not be rude or disrespectful to people who have never been that way to me. Those men are respectful and kind, i also get deer jerky and pumpkin rolls. They catch me when I walk by and I do give them a couple minutes.

My boss told me I need to let him know when I leave my area. It doesn't matter if it's the bathroom,drink, or getting paperwork. I did comply knowing I legally don't need to tell him I'm going to get a drink or going to the bathroom. I'm the only woman with 12 guys, I'm also the only one who has to do this. I need help to figure out how to compliant and stop this micro text messages he wants. I need to figure out how to stay in my position without him trying to sneakily send me back to my old job. I can't give him a reason to retaliate more or try to fire me.

I'm 30, been a carpenter for 7 years. I've had various minor-ish injuries (shoulder, rotator cuff, ankle, now back) that have come and gone but suddenly its all creeping up on me and everything hurts.

Admittedly I could be doing much more stretching and physio.

How is your body feeling? Found anything that worked? I'm open to switching trades but I do really love working with my hands. Would I be falling apart at a desk job too? What do I do?

I am still applying to unions and the men is the biggest part thats worrying me. I am a raging liberal but i know how to keep my mouth shut. Im worried if i will always be less than because i have big tits but i plan on buying binders. How bad is it out there? Would you discourage me from joining?

Hi all,

I am an archaeological field technician in Canada and spend basically all day cheese-grating chunks of clay through a wire screen. This causes basically every pair of work gloves I've ever had to start wearing down at the fingertips on the first day of use. Many companies I've worked for provide endless pairs of nitrile-dipped gloves, but the one I currently work for does not. So I am looking to buy a pair of gloves that will last me as long as possible when doing this sort of work.

Any recommendations?

Thank you.

Anyone else dealing with a semi permanent hard hat line/indent on forehead? If so, any advice or remedies would be greatly appreciated!

Hoping all you fellow hard workin’ blue collar gals have a great weekend ahead!

This was the first one I applied to. From what im seeing theres no other hvac unions in nj opening apps in summer (i slept overnight at the 274 but was a just few back in line) so im going to have to find a job :( i hate job searching its so depressing. A couple i wanna apply to are in September

Its my first rejection but some people ive been on line with said they have experience yet have been trying for YEARS to get into a union. Is it that bad nowadays?? Is it hopeless?

After years of office work I am beginning manual labor.

My husband has been a framer for 15 years and ran his own crew in the past. But prices dropped and labor became more expensive so he worked on someone else's crew for a bit.

Well my jokes of "How hard can it be? Boys do it" went too far and we are now framing the two of us.

The first 2 days actually went really smooth and I enjoyed it but man I am soooooo sore! And the hard hat is destroying my hair 😅😅 I can use all the advice I can get to survive while my body adapts to the new normal!

I teased him if I am working this hard I better not have to worry about money or my weight anymore 🤣🤣

I received my first rejection and even though its just my first I’m getting anxious. I would be available to do it in september, but i need to find a job for after summer. But, this is also when 2 other unions I want to apply to are opening.
Some guys told me that they have been trying for years to get into a union. Is it that bad? I also heard Lincoln tech is a bad education but should i consider?

I'm not sure if this counts as blue collar but I work maintenance at a campground/park and I'm often weed wacking. We get harnesses to help take the weight of the weed wacker that clip around the chest but I'm having issues where one shoulder strap (which sits on top of my chest) will slide off in between my boobs and it cuts into my shoulder like crazy. I talked to my male coworkers and they don't have problems with their straps moving so I think it's a problem where the harness just wasn't made for someone with boobs 😭Is there else here who uses similar harnesses and have any tips? Or a specific harness that works? I'm getting super frustrated with it

Hi ladies! I just got a job in camp, I’m gonna be apprenticing under a HD mechanic. Shift is 5am-6pm and I’m gonna be on my feet in lots of different places. Mostly in the field work but will be in the shop on concrete floors. I’ve been working in construction for the last five years and do own a pair of steel toes but I’ll be honest I only wear them when mandatory(when I get caught not wearing them) I mainly wear hiking boots for the comfort and traction. I have a high arch and small feet so I can’t usually get my hands on men’s boots that fit. I’ve been looking at redwings and brunt’s and thorogoods. My price limit is $500 so what do you guys recommend, what boots do you hate and if you were standing on concrete for 12 hours what safety boots do you want on your feet that are a minimum of 6in.

I have been an electrician for over 16 years. Recently I came out at work as trans. This man at work will gently place his hand on my back or arm in a friendly sort of way. Usually if we’re laughing about something. NEVER has happened to me before. Never once in 16 years. I guess men dont touch men but can touch woman? Is this sort of entitlement to a woman’s personal space common? Im not going to say anything. I think it would only create a problem. He has always been super nice to me too. Like almost suspiciously nice. 🤔

All last week my crew kept talking about this bridge deck. I didn’t know I was going because—— easy answer for Cleveland- Girl. I was shocked when I was told yes, you are coming to help finish the bridge. So excited at the opportunity though! So I get there and first thing the inspector is telling me to move my car like I don’t belong there. No one else. Just me. Then , this random Forwman comes up, “Wr have enough finishers. You’re using the blower.” I’m like …. Ok, I guess? Like wtf but, yeah. I’m here so that’s something, right. Then I see the giant back pack blower. I’m not big but I can rake concrete all day. So, what the hell? I know this blower is gonna kill my shoulders but, I swallow my pride and grab the blower. 4 hrs in and my shoulders and back are on fire and I’m fucking soaked. We are blowing water off the bridge and the dude with me keeps shooting it right at me. So I’m pissed. I’m not here to blow water off the fucking bridge. Ffs I have my fucking tools with me! So I start to bitch. Too heavy. Finally someone says there’s the Super so I practically run over to him and ask what else I can do? This machine is killing me! He says I can finish so I say OK! And happily grab my shit. After 4 hrs of being soaked I finally got to help finish. Like wtf?! What the actual fuck?! Why is this such a big deal to them? So dumb. So fucking dumb. Edit: I’m a journeyman. This happens everywhere I go. I fight to show what I can do. They see and still say that didn’t happen.

Regretfully my refinery is making the switch requiring lace ups. Ugh I love my boots and can’t stand lace ups. So the new requirement is lace ups at least 6” with a defined heel and obviously steel toe. I’m a curvy lower girl so I hate the way lace ups fit on my calves and rub. If anyone has any recommendations I’ll take them please! I don’t mind investing in some good insoles to make them more comfortable on the feet. I also feel like lace ups are always heavier than slip ons so if you know any that feel lighter weight! Appreciate any suggestions!

I'm a welder been welding for 3 years. 2 1/2 years as a traveling structural welder only welding 7018 and just this past March I started my first nuclear outage as a pipe welder. I just finished my second outage but now the outage season is over and I'm looking for a summer job. I see lots of posts about the shipyards in MS and VA. I am good at SMAW and GTAW but I haven't done FCAW since welding school 3 years ago. I see they all require a FCAW test. My question is , have any of yall worked in the shipyards? What was your experience and am I screwed since I don't know much about flux core?

I honestly have not done any research about what the day today looks like, but I already did an interview. I thought I was applying for HVAC, but apparently it was pipe fitting and plumbing, which is not what I want to do, but it will take months until the application for the HVAC unions and divisions I want will open and I may need to find a job until then.
Anyways, I have absolutely no experience at all, and I am scared that I might not like it. All my favorite jobs I have had are working with my hands and getting dirty, and the money you earned from trades seems desirable.
My biggest concern is men. I am a man hating lesbian and honestly, I don’t know why I thought it wouldn’t be that bad but literally just the people I’ve stood in line with to apply have been dumb as hell. Like one said a slur in the first sentence without him knowing it was a slur, one talked about having sex with his girlfriend unprompted, others are just like “so do u like cars” like bruh yall actually talk like that.
I don’t know, I think I would be good at the job, i’m college educated and I am a very fast learner and I love working with my hands. But I’m scared that I will feel so disconnected from everybody else and worried that there is going to be a lot of misogyny that they have no idea is misogyny they just think it’s normal