Post People Karen Pointon who works at Peter James Group

Karen Pointon is the only woman working at Peter James Bosch car service garage on Bull Corner, Dagenham, where she manages a team of four men. The 29-year-old lives in Felton Road, Barking.

I was a receptionist before being made the general service manager of the car service and I’ve worked here for a year now. I have always worked in garages so I am used to working in this kind of environment.

Being the only female does mean there are some jokes and my family and friends find the whole thing very funny. The guys I work with try their luck with me sometimes, so I have to be strict with them.

I’m known for being a bit of a bossy person anyway and have always been around men, growing up with my brother and all of his friends. Telling men what to do therefore comes easily to me.

The people I work with have become used to working with a female and I haven’t actually experienced any problems.

I like my job and actually prefer working with men. I’ve worked in offices where it is mainly women, and they bicker and arguments can last for days.

Men are not like this. They will have a disagreement and in five minutes all will be forgotten. That’s what I like about men, they just get on with it. Give me a room working with men over women any day.

Working in a male-dominated place is not what people expect. I really have had no issues and find it easy working with men once they get used to you.

Women should be more open to try different jobs and places that are traditionally male to change perceptions and stereotypes. I did, and I now love what I do.