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Women in RACHP
North America region

Refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat-pumps (RACHP) are crucial for our health, nutrition, comfort, and well-being. It is one of the sectors that crosscuts many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and can contribute significantly to safeguard the environment, advance welfare of humanity and support the growth of employment and economics worldwide.

Engagement of women in this sector is either under-represented or un-recognized around the globe despite the high potential that can be unleashed by encouraging women to pursue education and job opportunities in HVACR.

The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), in cooperation with WiHVACR and ASHRAE, are undertaking this survey to better understand the background, motivation, challenges, and opportunities faced by women working in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps sector.

If you work in this sector, sharing your experience will raise awarness of careers and opportunities in HVACR and will inspire a new generation of women to follow in your footsteps.

Please note that this survey is anonymous and must be completed only by women who work in the HVACR sector.
A. Background Section
1.What is your age group?(Required.)
2.What State or Canadian Province do you work in?(Required.)
3.What is your highest qualification?(Required.)
B. Career Section
4.Which of the following subsectors best describe your work discipline or focus?(Required.)
5.What is your current job role?(Required.)
6.How many years have you been working in HVACR?(Required.)
7.How long have you been working in your current role?(Required.)
8.How many times have you been promoted in the last 10 years?(Required.)
C. Challenges Section
9.Do you face any of the following challenges in your workday? Please choose up to 5 challenges that you experience the most.(Required.)
[1] " Harassment is any improper and unwelcome conduct that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to
cause offence or humiliation to another person. Harassment may take the form of words, gestures or actions which
tend to annoy, alarm, abuse, demean, intimidate, belittle, humiliate, or embarrass another or which create an
intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. Harassment normally implies a series of incidents.
Disagreement on work performance or on other work-related issues is normally not considered harassment and is
not dealt with under the provisions of this policy but in the context of performance management." UN definition;
ST/SGB/2008/5
[2] " Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favor, verbal or physical conduct or
gesture of a sexual nature, or any other behavior of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be
perceived to cause offence or humiliation to another, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition
of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. While typically involving a
pattern of behavior, it can take the form of a single incident. Sexual harassment may occur between persons of the
opposite or same sex. Both males and females can be either the victims or the offenders. " UN Definition:
ST/SGB/2008/5, paragraph 1.3
[3] " Discrimination is any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction based on a person’s race, sex, religion,
nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, language, social origin or other status. Discrimination
may be an isolated event affecting one person or a group of persons similarly situated, or may manifest itself
through harassment or abuse of authority" ST/SGB/2008/5, paragraph 1.1.
10.Do you feel that you were offered the same opportunities as men in similar positions?(Required.)
11.How do you feel towards your remuneration in relation to the job you do?(Required.)
12.How do you feel towards your remuneration when compared to men in similar positions?(Required.)
D. Motivation Section
13.What made you decide to pursue a career in the HVACR sector? Please choose up to 3 factors that influenced your decision.(Required.)
14.What are top 5 characteristics you find most attractive in your HVACR career? Please select up to 5 characteristics.(Required.)
15.Did you have a role model who inspired you to pursue a career in the HVACR sector?(Required.)
16.Did your role model affect your specific career choice?(Required.)
17.In your current job, did you have the opportunity to have a mentor supporting you with your career?(Required.)
18.Have you been directly responsible for encouraging more people to make a career in the HVACR sector?(Required.)
19.Are you taking part in any activities that can inspire women or young people to join HVACR? Please choose up to 4 activities.(Required.)
20.What is the career achievement you are most proud of?(Required.)
21.Are you a member of any national, regional or international HVACR association, professional society or other related organisations?(Required.)
22.Does your work in the HVACR sector involve any of these issues? Select as many as is relevant(Required.)
23.Is the environmental dimension of your work in the HVACR sector an important motivating factor for you?(Required.)
24.Are you a member of INWIC?

International Network of Women in Cooling: https://www.inwic.org/
Watch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbjF5Ubfy_o)?(Required.)
25.Are you happy to be contacted for an interview?(Required.)
If yes, please contact us at secretariat@inwic.org
26.Will you accept to produce a short video (using your smartphone) presenting your background and work in HVACR?(Required.)
If yes, please contact us at secretariat@inwic.org