Friday, March 6, 2026

Stand Your Ground and Stay Steady

Practical advice on professionalism, resilience, and respect in the construction industry

CLAC Representative Tenille Kowalchuk recently sat on a panel at a Women in Construction event hosted by Maple Reinders.

With more than 19 years of experience in construction and a family history rooted in the skilled trades, Tenille shared practical, honest insight into what it takes to build a lasting career in the industry.

Before becoming a CLAC representative and a Supporting Women in Construction (SWIC) mentor just over two years ago, Tenille was a member of Locals 63 and 56, working with Ledcor Construction in highway maintenance as a heavy equipment operator and Class 1 driver.

Here’s some of her best advice.

How to handle disrespect or dismissive behaviour on the job

Stay professional and grounded. Keeping your composure in tense situations shows confidence and can help deescalate issues before they grow.
Speaking clearly and directly matters. There is no need to apologize for having experience or knowledge.
Sometimes, a simple, calm statement like, “I’d like to finish my point,” can shift the tone of a conversation.
Document repeated disrespect or dismissive behaviour. Write down what happened, when it happened, and who was present in case the issue needs to be raised with a steward, CLAC representative, or management.
Address concerns early, especially through private conversation. Many situations improve when someone respectfully explains how a comment or action affected them.
Support systems matter. Talking to a steward or representative can help clarify next steps.
Find allies on site. Most people want a respectful workplace, and many will support positive behaviour once they understand what’s happening.
Understand workplace policies. Employers and collective agreements include procedures for maintaining respectful environments and addressing harassment. If behaviour crosses the line into harassment or creates an unsafe space, it should be reported through the proper channels and followed up until resolved.

How to not take things personally in a high stress construction environment

Construction sites can be intense! Tight deadlines, safety concerns, and unexpected challenges create pressure. Learn to reframe tense moments. Often, frustration is about the situation, not about you. Asking yourself what pressure someone might be under can shift your reaction from defensive to measured.
Stay focused on the task. Grounding yourself in what needs to be done keeps emotions from taking over.
You can’t control someone’s tone, but you can control how you respond. Taking a short breather before reacting can prevent escalation and often earns quiet respect.
Build relationships outside of stressful moments. Sharing a laugh, offering help, or checking in after a tense exchange strengthens trust. Clearing the air once things cool down shows maturity and helps prevent ongoing tension.

Tenille’s message was clear: strength in the trades isn’t only about skill. It’s also about professionalism, resilience, and supporting one another.

Are you a women interested in starting a career in the trades but not sure where to start? Visit clac.ca/swic today.

Stand Your Ground and Stay Steady

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