This episode of MakingChips is different from most conversations we have on the show, and it needed to be.
In late 2025, the manufacturing community was shaken by the murder of Amber Czech, a welder who was killed by a coworker after reporting harassment multiple times. That tragedy forced many of us to confront an uncomfortable truth: workplace violence and harassment are not abstract issues. They are real, ongoing, and present in the trades today.
In this episode, Paul Van Metre is joined by Nush Ahmed, CEO of Sisterhood of Trades, along with two national experts who work directly on workplace violence and gender justice. Jessica Stender of Equal Rights Advocates and Anna Van Balen of Futures Without Violence bring decades of experience working with employers, workers, and policymakers to help address harassment, escalation, and prevention in real workplaces.
Together, we talk candidly about how harassment often becomes normalized in the trades, why underreporting is so common, and how unchecked behavior can escalate into violence. We also discuss what shop owners and leaders can do today, not just to comply with the law, but to build workplaces that are genuinely safe, respectful, and welcoming.
This conversation is about responsibility. It's about leadership. And it's about recognizing that culture, policies, and daily behavior all play a role in preventing harm. For owners, managers, and anyone who cares about the future of manufacturing, this episode is a call to take workplace safety seriously, before another tragedy forces the issue.
Segments
- (0:54) Introducing Nush Ahmed and her work advocating for women in the trades
- (2:44) Why the murder of Amber Czech prompted this episode
- (4:56) Introducing Anna Van Balen and the work of Futures Without Violence
- (6:26) Introducing Jessica Stender and Equal Rights Advocates
- (7:28) What Nush hears daily from women in the trades about harassment and safety
- (10:12) Why workplace culture must be addressed alongside physical safety
- (12:35) The data on harassment prevalence in skilled trades
- (15:14) What shop owners can do to begin protecting their teams
- (19:14) Why "check-the-box" training fails and what effective training looks like
- (21:38) How harassment escalates when early behavior goes unaddressed
- (22:50) Why reporting is so difficult and fear of retaliation is real
- (25:42) The reality of repeated HR reports and system failure
- (28:48) The responsibility of owners to investigate and act, even in small shops
- (32:16) Safety planning, allyship, and the role of bystanders
- (36:16) Building ally communities and encouraging men to engage constructively
- (39:41) What leaders can say and do proactively to create safer workplaces
- (41:53) Why respectful workplaces benefit everyone, not just marginalized groups
- (42:50) Reviewing policies, audits, training, and reporting structures
- (48:50) Practical resources available to employers and workers
- (52:10) Sisterhood of Trades resources and community support
- (55:06) How to connect with Jessica and Anna's organizations
- (56:38) How to engage with Sisterhood of Trades and Next Gen MFG
- (58:03) Closing reflections on responsibility, culture, and speaking up
Resources mentioned on this episode
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