Female Electrician Finds Herself Struggling For Work After Facing Sexism Over Being Too Pretty

Female Electrician Faces Sexism For Being 'Too Pretty'

Has someone actually managed to create a DeLorean that travels back in time a la Marty McFly-style?

Surely that's the only explanation for a female electrician who claims she has been turned down for more than 50 jobs on account of sexism.

Apparently, Sian Willcocks has been told she is too much of a 'turn-on' for other men and can't be employed lest she “distract” all the male workers on jobs.

But the 25-year-old blonde insists no-one would notice her looks in her overalls with her hair up.

Mum-of-one Sian has been trying to get a full time role for three months without success. She says she has been stunned by the sexism she has encountered.

The sparky claims male customers regularly offer her help when she does the odd wiring job – because she’s a woman.

Sian needs to find a job before Easter otherwise she won’t complete the practical element of her training.

The tomboy, from Lincoln, said: “I don’t really know what to do next. They just aren’t taking me seriously.

“One person said he couldn’t employ me because I would distract the guys while they were at work.

“I have had some older customers watch over me like a hawk when I’m doing work.

“A couple have said women belong in the kitchen but I tend to shrug it off.”

She added: “There’s always jokes about a blonde woman changing a light bulb and things and it is frustrating.

“I do feel sometimes I’m being treated differently because they see me as this slim, pretty, ditzy blonde.

“I’m a problem solver and a bit of a tomboy. I’m not really a girly girl although I do look like one.

“I will be fully qualified after passing my exams and I know what I’m doing.”

Sian has been studying for two-and-a-half years on a remote university course while looking after her seven-year-old son Brandon.

She has already paid £6,000 of her £8,000 on university fees and has carried out 80 hours of work experience.

But she needs a job to fund the remaining £2,000 of fees and cover exams, travel expenses and childcare.

She has been offered a lifeline by the Job Centre which has said it will pay the fees – but only as long as she secures a job offer.

Since September she has written to small employers, temp agencies, bigger employers and service contractors – but hasn’t secured one interview.

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