INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2024

I started at Marley in July of 2018, so I’m coming up to six years. And my role now is still a finishing operator. Plus, 2IC to the team leader.

Tell me about your journey at Marley.

I actually took a pay cut coming to Marley. It was a risk, but it really paid off. I started as an operator. Since then, I’ve moved up to the 2IC role. My work style is just to be kind to everyone, treat people like I would like to be treated and get stuck into tasks. People naturally come to me for help, and I think management saw that. I did the Flow program last year, that was all about leadership skills. It was very helpful for me because I wanted to work on my confidence. I’m about taking opportunities when they come and making the most of them.

“My work style is just to be kind to everyone. Treat people like I would like to be treated and get stuck into tasks.”

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

Working as a team to achieve our daily goals. And seeing the team put safety first. Our culture from the top down is safety first, then production. Between that, our daily exercises and annual health check-ups, it really feels like Marley cares about our wellbeing.

What personality do you bring to management?

I like to make people feel comfortable, I can naturally get on with anyone. I don’t scold. If I see someone doing something that’s not safe, I’ll say, “I would hate for you to get injured” not “HEY, don’t do that!” How you start an interaction with someone really affects where you end up.

Manufacturing is a largely male-dominated field, have you faced any gender related obstacles, stereotypes, or expectations?

I learned some hard lessons early on. At 15, with no school qualifications, I went to work in a factory where, as a woman, being friendly could be taken the wrong way. It’s in my nature to be friendly, but I got attention I didn’t want from the men and judgement from the women. That experience made me more reserved and protective of myself. I felt I had to hide my personality.

Back in the 90s, when I had two children, I had to leave work because there was no maternity leave. When I returned, I had to start all over at minimum wage. It kept me on minimum wage for a very long time.

Marley has made a promise to support diversity and inspire inclusion, how do you see them fulfilling that promise?

They support cultural diversity by allowing time for all the different celebrations. In terms of gender, it’s on a recruiting and training level. It used to always be men operating the machines, now more women are being trained for that.

“It used to be men operating the machines, now more women are being trained for that.”

What advice would you give to male co-workers wanting to be better allies?

I understand most men aren’t trying to offend, it comes from habit or unconscious bias. But they can do better. Think about what you say, don’t comment on our appearance or what we’re wearing. You may think it’s a compliment, but it’s a bit creepy, and seriously, what does it have to do with work? And please, just use our names.

Why is it important to celebrate International Women’s Day?

Well, when it came up this year, somebody said, “Hey, what about International Men’s Day?” I’ve heard that too many times. It makes me think men still need to be educated. Like I said, men aren’t trying to be offensive, and often when they hear stories from a female perspective they’re shocked at what we go through on a daily basis.

“Men aren’t trying to be offensive, and often when they hear stories from a female perspective they’re shocked at what we go through on a daily basis.”