Dieter and Laura Reifler work side by side for WALO. He’s a site supervisor and she’s a road builder. Only after they’ve clocked off do they become father and daughter again.
As is so often the case, Laura Reifler is the only woman on the construction site. But that doesn’t bother her at all. Quite the opposite: she feels right at home. She originally wanted to become a carpenter. But after trying it out, she realised: “I want out!” She couldn’t imagine always being confined to the same four walls. Her father Dieter Reifler had always spoken positively about his job in construction, so she thought: “Why not?” Her mother wasn’t enthusiastic about the idea at first, and others around her were also critical. You’ll only get dirty and exhausted, they said. At first, she was keen to see what construction was all about partly to make a point. But she quickly realised: “This is right for me, this is where I want to be.”
Laura Reifler’s favourite taster experience was at WALO. She felt welcome “as an apprentice and a woman”; everyone took the time to answer her questions and were friendly. Her father let her decide for herself, but was delighted when she finally chose a road building apprenticeship at WALO. “I was proud when she started here,” he says. She was one of the first women in Eastern Switzerland to take this path, according to Dieter. Women account for only 1% of those enrolled in construction training programs. “Laura is made of tough stuff and can also give as good as she gets when faced with comments that are below the belt,” he says.
After completing her apprenticeship, Laura switched disciplines to civil engineering. Now father and daughter often find themselves working together on construction sites, with Dieter as the site supervisor and Laura as the “Büäzerin”, as female road builders are known in the local dialect. “He’s the boss on the construction site, but not at home,” she says, smiling mischievously. “At work, we’re colleagues,” he says, adding: “I expect more from Laura than from the others. After all, she is my flesh and blood.” That doesn’t bother Laura. As she’s savvier with technical devices than he is, he’s happy to leave the “Tachy” (tachometer) to her. “She’s better with modern surveying equipment,” he agrees. She appreciates that – and also the fact that he always listens when she has ideas on how something could be done differently. Sometimes he finds her ideas good, sometimes less so. Of course, things are not always harmonious.
“There are always conflicts,” says Laura, “but we can communicate well with each other.” So much so that they are still discussing work in the car at the end of the day and even over dinner. As Laura’s brother also works in the industry, they discuss the ins and outs of what’s going on at each construction site. “It’s not always great for mum,” says Laura. “Laura gets herself mucky,” says Dieter and smiles. But the laundry at home is easy: “All orange,” they both say and laugh.
Father and daughter see their future at WALO. “At WALO, they look after the young ones, I feel supported here. If there’s ever a problem, we can talk about it and sort it out. If I’m worried about something, my boss is there for me. And then now and again there’s also a party in the site hut – that brings everyone together.” Dieter is also very content: “WALO is a fair employer and the bosses are good people, not arrogant. We are always a team.” His wish is to see his daughter work her way up. From forewoman to site supervisor. Laura has already registered for foreman/forewoman school.
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