Russian women began to master “male” professions: where do they take

Russian women after 45, even those with an elite higher education, are ready to replace men in purely male professions – this is the conclusion of analysts who conducted a mass survey commissioned by one large Russian enterprise, which is significantly expanding throughout the country on the occasion of import substitution.

“We desperately need locksmiths and drivers of heavy trucks,” they share on condition of anonymity in the personnel department of this giant plant, which is going to multiply by a number of regional branches. – They are ready to pay them even more than the market, if only the candidate does not drink and is up to 40.

– To not drink, of course. But up to 40 – some direct discrimination on the basis of age!

– The fact is that, alas, the average Russian man, who lives not in the capitals and megacities, but on the periphery, after 40 is already necessarily chronically ill with something. Even if he does not go into uncontrolled binges for an indefinite time, by this age he has already acquired chronic problems either with the heart, or with the liver, or with blood vessels. The reason is lifestyle, nutrition, ecology, not to mention bad habits. And our production is not complicated, physical strength is not required, but you need to be focused, attentive and responsible.

This explains the “revolutionary” decision of corporate personnel officers to invite drivers and mechanics to vacancies … women aged 45 and older!

– Do you even imagine a Russian woman 45+? This is either a tuned glamour, looking at 25, and leading an idle lifestyle at the expense of men, or a quiet mother of the family in anticipation of her grandchildren. And if a woman was engaged in her career from a young age, then by 45 she is already a recognized specialist in her field, and even a big boss. Which of them will you read to the machine or for the steering wheel of a truck ?!

– In production, everything has long been automated so much that you don’t have to stand at the machine and you don’t even know plumbing. You have to sit at the computer and be sober and vigilant, that’s all. And for women after 45, the wind doesn’t walk in their heads for sure. As for multi-ton trucks, by and large, driving them is even easier than cars, the main thing is to be careful and follow safety precautions. In order not to harm other road users, and the driver of a huge car in the event of an accident is usually generally unharmed. And according to the statistics of the traffic police, women driving are generally more accurate, and especially those who have already had the wind in their heads – that is, again 45+. Approximately a third of Russian women by this age already have not only a driver’s license, but also a fair amount of driving experience. Here we will recruit such people and retrain them for heavy trucks. Moreover, healthy non-drinking Russian men under 40 are now either in the army, or on the run, or “nerds” booked with their offices. And we have a job for real men!

– And you want “Balzac” women on her!

But they want to too! The idea has shown viability and, I think, other domestic enterprises will soon borrow it. We have a direct competition for each position from those who wish, at least conduct a casting! So we will also choose, we will hire the best.

Oddly enough, this is also stated in the latest report of the employment research center: as of November 2022, the majority of Russian women, including those with higher education, are ready to replace men in their “original” jobs, working as turners, locksmiths, auto mechanics, truck drivers and even plumbers. One of the reasons is to support domestic enterprises in difficult times.

– And another reason, no less important – to stay afloat, – specify in the employment center. – Many women, even with a very good career start, often drop out of the professional cage for reasons beyond their control. And if a woman dropped out of the profession from 30 to 40 years old – for example, she went on two decrees in a row or simply temporarily did not work – then in many industries she is taken extremely reluctantly or not taken at all. In most areas of activity, everything is moving forward very quickly, and the employer does not want to retrain a lady who will retire in 10 years at her own expense. Moreover, after 45, a woman will often write newsletters and drink tea – at this age, a career no longer shines, therefore, women of this age simply sit out at work – the employer is absolutely sure of this.

– And becoming a plumber, a lady 45+ will cheer up, give up ballots and teas, and think about a career?!

– You’re laughing, but it’s true! Instead of a dreary female team in a boring office, she will have live work with people, a lot of communication, new places and acquaintances, and most importantly, a male team. For singles, this moment is often decisive.

It’s hard to believe in this if it weren’t for the inexorable statistics: out of 1,760 working Russian women aged 18 to 55, surveyed during the second week of November, 27% are ready to work as just heavy truck drivers and truck drivers, 20% are ready to become laborers, 19% watchmen, 7% locksmiths and plumbers, 5% machinists and auto mechanics, 3% electricians and mechanics, and 2% turners, fitters and loaders.

– Why don’t you hire young women, since they are so eager for men’s work? – I return to the “cadres” of the giant enterprise.

– Alas, women under 40 are not satisfied with our salary. And after 45 for her, the ladies are ready for anything.

We look at the statistics – and indeed: about 80% of the respondents said that if they do “typically male work”, it will be only for a double tariff, and among the women who answered this way, the majority are under 45 years old. And another 5% of respondents did not choose a specific working specialty, saying that “they are ready to master any of them, if necessary. Guess in what age category the respondents who answered this way? Quite right: 45+.

– And why, since Russian women are ready for any male labor, only 2% are ready to become turners, assemblers and loaders? – I ask the manager of the employment service.

– It speaks just about their adequacy. And adequacy is about life and work experience, which most often normalizes high expectations. That is, we are again talking about the fair sex over 45 years old. They understand that the work of a loader requires physical strength, which they may not have enough, plus it is harmful to the female body. The work of a high-altitude assembler requires good physical shape and training, otherwise it is a risk – and not only for the worker herself, but also for her partners, assemblers usually work in conjunction. And the turner interacts with so many harmful fumes that this profession is categorically contraindicated for people with allergies, asthma, with any visual and vestibular disorders, and too sensitive skin. The last one is perhaps the most important. Turners usually have a bad complexion.

“I had such a strong start that, perhaps, he confused everything for me,” admits a 45+ Muscovite with a diploma from a financial academy and a Western MBA, who has recently taken the position of a heavy truck driver. – At the age of 25, I came to the “newborn daughter” of a large American corporation as an ordinary accountant. By the age of 27, she became her financial director, and the “daughter” herself was so untwisted that she almost began to compete with her “dad”. Work, however, had to be worn out. I came out of the decree in a week, my daughter grew up with a nanny and a grandmother, I came at night and fell exhausted, and in the morning I rushed to work again. But the salary was such that by the age of 35 she decided that there was nothing to waste her talents “on her uncle”. She invested all her savings in her own business, and three years later, in 2008, it collapsed. For a couple more years I tried to revive him, and at 42 I gave up and went to find a job. And I was faced with the fact that with such a break in work “for my uncle”, they no longer take me to financial directors. I just didn’t want to become an accountant. And at 47 I found out that they don’t take me “just as an accountant”, like my “skills” are outdated. By experience, it turned out that with my specialty and age, they would only take me as a cashier in a regional supermarket. And I have almost come to terms with it, I have to live. Although, of course, it is unpleasant: the whole district stares and asks questions. I grew up here and everyone knows me, moreover, as rich and successful. And then there’s the cashier!

– Is a trucker more prestigious?

– I will not drive long distances, only deliver building materials around Moscow and the region. I love to steer, I drive confidently from the age of 25. I know Moscow and its surroundings without a navigator, I don’t drink, I understand Russian well – not just a driver, but an employer’s dream! By the way, he asked if I was afraid of big cars? And I told him: I’m afraid of little ones, and my jeep is not much smaller than your dump truck. And he told me immediately – clap and contract.