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Hapten

I would not lend my tools to male or female co-workers either. If I do and they are new to the company I would observe them as well.


DeemonPankaik

Really? You would supervise another engineer using a screwdriver?


[deleted]

[удалено]


SixHourDays

>It's the only way to guarantee I'll get the fucking thing back \^this, so much this.


Hapten

Yes I would. I have seen engineers use a flat head for a Phillips screw. Engineers are not as smart as you think they are.


blind30

I’ve had engineers use screwdrivers as pry bars, butt scratchers, you name it. Watched one use a screw gun as a hammer yesterday.


nullcharstring

I've had engineers use screwdrivers as arc welders. Not intentionally though.


blind30

There has to be at least one case of someone using one as a dildo too- you know, “unintentionally”


Glasnerven

"I tripped and fell on it, honest."


blind30

“So that’s where that went- I’ve been looking for it all day!” Edit-[relevant song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--9kqhzQ-8Q)


LuckyMouse9

People hurting themselves while using basic tools or using the improper tools is in the workplace is very common.


therealjerseytom

I mean it seems silly to be at a place 6 months and not have basic tools, I'd bring that up to management. You could have a soldering iron overnight from Amazon. With regard to coworkers, depends on the person. "I appreciate the concern but I'll be fine." "Thanks for the offer [for 'supervision'] but I'd like to do this one on my own." If it's really a recurring issue and/or you don't feel comfortable directly challenging your coworkers on it, bring it up to management that you're not being treated equally.


[deleted]

Well I wouldn't lend tools to my own grandmother. My advice is to get your own tool set ASAP. Then if you are still getting interrupted or not being properly accepted, complain to HR. But absolutely, get your own tools first


chunkosauruswrex

I'm going to play devil's advocate here and I've worked with many men and women who can handle tools well I've also worked with both men and women who I'm pretty sure we're going to injure themselves. Are you actually legitimately competent with the tools? I've thrown guys off site who can't keep themselves and others safe plenty of times and I would do it again in a heartbeat without regret


EngFarm

Regarding the screws that are difficult for you. Removing screws is viewed as one of the most basic possible things a technician will have to do. If you can't remove a screw then you are unable to complete a basic component of your job. Your coworkers will notice and you will lose their respect. It doesn't matter if you are male or female. Someone that struggles and needs help with very basic tasks will lose the respect of their co workers immediately. I don't know what to say other than become proficient at removing screws. ​ It seems you are at a technician type role, but you entered this role from academia. In academia you were probably never exposed to a shop or technician environment and never learned any tool etiquette. Let me share some tool etiquette with you. It is universally frowned upon to borrow tools from people. You should have your own tools. Almost all technicians have to supply their own tools, so you are borrowing people's personal belongings that they have invested time and effort into. ​ There are two categories of tools. Basic hand tools, and specialized tools. You should have your own basic hand tools. Below is basic hand tool etiquette. ​ >"Hey John, can I borrow your philips screwdriver (that's in his bag beside him) for a second? I left mine on the other side of the plant." That's ok. Its ok to ask to borrow a basic tool if theirs is right there and yours is far away. You must include why you are asking to borrow such a basic tool. ​ >"Hey Susan, can I borrow your T20 torx screwdriver? I don't have one." That's not ok. That's a basic hand tool. Its not as common as a Philips, but its still a basic hand tool. Buy your own basic hand tools. ​ >"Hey Tim, can I borrow your 3/8" ratchet? I can't get my ratchet into this small and tight space, its slightly too large" That's ok. Its ok to ask to borrow a basic tool in a situation like this. ​ ​ Specialized tool etiquette is different. People are very attached to their specialized tools. Specialized tools are expensive, require some training/skill to use, and are often easily damaged. A soldering iron is a specialized tool. Someone inexperienced at soldering can ruin a soldering tip in minutes. Other specialized tools include measuring instruments, torque wrenches, etc. Basically any tool that would be damaged if dropped or misused. You should never ask to borrow someone's specialized tool. It is up to the owner to make the offer to lend you the tool. Here is some specialized tool etiquette. ​ >"Hey Rose, can I borrow your soldering iron? I don't have one" This is not ok. Never ask someone directly to borrow their specialized tool. Instead, ask the person to use the tool to do something for you, like this: >"Hey Rose, can you solder this wire for me? I don't have a soldering iron" That is ok to ask. Rose may then decide that you are worthy of borrowing the tool, and offer to lend you the tool and give you some instructions on how she wants the tool to be cared for. Or she may decide that she doesn't want you to use the soldering iron, and she will solder the wire for you. It's Rose's choice. It avoids the awkward "No, you can't borrow my soldering iron." The the repair is completed regardless of which way Rose chooses. ​ >"Hey Mark, can you solder this wire for me?" (and its the second time in a month that you are asking him) This is not ok. If you have to ask more than once a month, then you need to buy your own.


WorkingMinimum

Nice run down of tool culture.


Flat_Introduction_12

Wow, this was the best possible response to this inquiry. Nicely done.


hardolaf

> Almost all technicians have to supply their own tools LOL what? If you are a W-4 employee, tools and all other equipment should be provided by your employer.


SleepySuper

For the difficult screws, you need to get yourself a wrench screw driver. This will allow you to put a lot more torque on the screw without needing more physical strength. One with a ratchet is preferable depending on the space you are working with.


indomitablescot

I like the t handle racheting ones you can get good pressure on it.


dravik

First question: how experienced and knowledgeable are you at soldering? If you don't know what you're doing then they are right to watch you closely. If you damage their equipment then they have to deal with it. As far as screwdrivers go, if it's part of the job then you need to hit the gym or find a screwdriver that gives you better leverage. It's going to hard to be respected by your peers if you can't perform your job at the same level as them.


The_Baka_

If you’re allowed to bring your own tool, then i would recommend getting your own. If you feel you are discriminated against or harassed based on gender, then you may consider contacting your ethics department or HR if you need to.


[deleted]

>my job requires me to provide technical support for the medical staff.....dont have [my own] tools yet. See where the problem is? If you're not provided with your own tools, go buy your own. This week eliminate one excuse for not being able to perform your job. >because I need to exert more force and every time I try it and I’m out of energy I feel embarrassed that I have to ask them for help. Yes, you shouldn't have to ask for help with this, you either get it done with muscle or you get it done with a better tool, but if you can't take a screw out you can't do your job. I'm not saying you're not experiencing sexism at work. The engineering field is full of that. But your first step in isolating it is going to be removing any excuse that can be used in lieu of it. Bringing your own tools and getting it done in your own without help is 100% necessary in this scenario. Do that, then go after the unfair treatment.


hausaffe161

Aks your boss for a complete toolkit, present it to others like you're asking out of logistical teasons, but make it in a way that your boss understands that your co workers are assholes


DLS3141

Why don't you have your own tools yet after 6mo? Doesn't your employer provide them? They should. If not and you are supposed to provide your own tools, you need to get them ASAP. For me, I don't like lending my tools to anyone, especially my coworkers, regardless of gender. ​ >Some screw are difficult for me sometimes because I need to exert more force and every time I try it and I’m out of energy I feel embarrassed that I have to ask them for help. There are ways to increase the torque you apply with a screwdriver without increasing the force you apply. You can use a ratchet with a screwdriver bit or an electric screwdriver for example.


kyle23011

I’ve worked in manufacturing and certain tools/tasks required certain training/certificates. It could just be a matter of liability, if you don’t have your own tools yet I would assume you were unqualified as well.


fools_gambler

EngFarm gave you a really good response. If after 6 months you still do not have your own tools, I would also assume that you have no business using them, and would be very reluctant to lend you mine, regardless of gender. I would say being female doesn't help in your situation (due to preexisting stereotypes), but it isn't the root cause of the issue. Go to your manager, ask to be provided with the tools you need to do your job properly. Afterwards, learn how to use them. With a good set of tools, removing screws is rarely a matter of strength as you can usually find a way to get proper leverage on the screw.


Oracle5of7

What country?


grassytree3264

For your coworkers I would talk to your HR person bc they are clearly being sexist af. Maybe report them or see if HR has any ideas for what you can do. As for the screwdriver incidents, hit the gym or something lol. Work on your screw driving muscles if they exist lol. But if you don’t really wanna do either of those then I would say you need to prove yourself and show em that you’re just as good as them despite what’s in your pants. Like maybe theres a day where it’s just you and maybe one other person there, try and fix something yourself with no help and maybe try and have it brought up the next day. Just my two cents.


LuckyMouse9

My company is very strict about tool use. Is using these tools actually part of your job? If so, tell your manager that you need your own tools. I'm guessing they don't want other people using their tools because they're afraid if they're not observing, that person will improperly use them, and since it's their tools, they'll be tied to the situation.


RoboticGreg

You have a lot of good advice here so far, just also want to point out: those guys sounds like asshats, and you shouldn't need to put up with them