Jobat When you think of a beautician, do you picture a woman? And what image do job titles such as audiologist or secretary evoke in you? Probably a smiling woman every time. These are jobs where more than nine out of ten employees are women. According to the figures, what are still typical ‘women’s jobs’ and what is it like to practice such a profession as a man? Jobat.be knocked on the door of domestic help Robbe, who likes to undermine many stereotypes.
Jobs with the highest percentage of women
Despite constant efforts to eliminate gender stereotypes and silos, there are still professions where there are hardly any men – or women. Statbel has figures that show how some professions are much more popular with women than with men, with, for example, nursery teachers, home nurses and speech therapists in the top ten. Moreover, the fact that men are so underrepresented in these jobs could deter them from applying for them. Which only reinforces the vicious circle of course…
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Men in the minority
According to figures from Statbel, no less than 128,052 people in Belgium were working as domestic help in 2022, making the profession the third most common in our country. 92 percent of those domestic helpers are women.
Robbe, a 22-year-old man who has been working for the service check company Home Maid in the Roeselare region for more than two years, is clearly in the minority. He explains why he applied to that employer, why he likes his job and why other men should also become domestic helpers (if they want to).
Besides men in typical ‘women’s jobs’, there are of course also women in ‘men’s jobs’: read the story of welder Eva (40).
Why did you decide to start as a domestic help?
“I studied for a hairdresser, but graduated in full corona time,” says Robbe. “It wasn’t very busy in the hair salons at the time, so I went looking for something else. That is how I ended up in a cleaning company with industrial customers. That was a fairly impulsive decision. But there I missed the family aspect, the bond with the customers. That’s why I made the switch to Home Maid. I now work fourteen hours a week as a domestic help, and I also work part-time as a hairdresser. I also missed that job after a while. That’s how I combine the two.”
What wages can a domestic helper expect? And a hairdresser? Calculate it quickly and easily here.
Do you have male colleagues?
“No, I am the only male cleaner in the Roeselare region. But that doesn’t bother me. I am under the wing of regional manager Delphine and I am in contact with my colleagues via a Whatsapp group in which we can ask questions. In that group, Delphine also sent a very pleasant message on the Day of the Household Help recently. And occasionally I see all my colleagues ‘in real life’ for an activity.”
How do your customers react to the fact that you are male?
“’Oh, a man’, I saw them thinking”, Robbe laughs. “But that’s not a bad thing, not at all. They don’t think it’s a problem. It just wasn’t what they expected when they applied for a domestic help. In addition, the company is called Home Maid. (laughs) So they thought that Delphine would introduce them to a lady, while it might as well be a man who is just as good at the job and just as happy to do it.”
“Of course I can only speak for myself, but I have not had a single bad experience with a customer. Everywhere I was warmly welcomed, even when, for example, I only made a replacement. The customers are just happy and grateful that you are here.”
Read also: Which sector has the most (and least) foreign workers?
What do you like most about your job?
“The family atmosphere in people’s homes and the regular contact you have with the customers: that’s very nice. I am also just someone who likes to clean things and make sure everything is in order, with an eye for detail. I really like the fact that I now find that in my job and can express it.”
“The compliments of the customers are therefore very satisfying. I get really excited when someone notices the little things I do and says something about it. That appreciation is the biggest point and what makes the job so much fun.”
Finally: What would you say to other men who are still doubting whether they should apply as a domestic help?
“I would say above all: don’t worry! (laughs) Really. It’s a very varied job and once the customers are familiar with their male domestic help, they don’t let them go quickly. I don’t know why you would be put off. Do what you like and what you want to go for yourself. It all shows itself,” Robbe concludes.
Are you longing for a new professional challenge? The Jobat tool below will help you – completely free – in your search.
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2023-09-08 04:06:00
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