Hi-vis have never looked so hot.
A website intended to build community among construction workers has been criticized as “sexist” by DEI activists after dressing female models in skimpy, construction-inspired attire to spice up an annual industry event.
Walking on stilts and sporting ultra-revealing versions of trade standard high-visibility gear, the buxom builderettes are straight out of a construction-themed role-playing fantasy – a big change for some, The Telegraph informed,
Diversity publicist Faye Allen immediately called the event organizers a bunch of tools, and claimed that “horrified” attendees approached her with complaints, including one woman who “actually fainted.”
Allen, a former construction company director, found the demonstration regressive and misogynistic, noting that she is “working really hard for appropriate PPE for women and other diverse groups.”
“It’s disappointing to see people wearing hi-vis colors and clothes like that,” he said.
She said she worked in the industry for three decades, but quit because of the way she was treated – and was not happy after being reminded that “women are still treated the same way today “
DEI Expert Harriet Waley-Cohen also criticized the showcase in a LinkedIn post titled “Sexist WTF of the Week”.
“When women are glamorized in this way, it tells everyone out there that women are not to be taken seriously, that they are objects of entertainment and stimulation,” she says. wrote,
“It reinforces the idea that women’s value lies in their looks, especially how sexy others find them, and not in their ability, experience or intelligence. It says ‘We don’t take women seriously.’
“According to RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) data, women have much shorter careers than men in the construction sector,” said Valley-Cohen. It is not surprising that women are leaving if they are unsafe at work and routinely sexually harassed. What happened [here] It absolutely reinforces all this.”
The offending organisation, On The Tools, describes the site as “the largest and most engaged online construction community for UK tradespeople”. An official apology has since been published on LinkedIn – with the claim that the event was organized by a contractor they hired.
CEO and co-founder Lee Wilcox said, “We asked about a construction theme but didn’t investigate outfits.” “But no matter the ins and outs of it and how it happened, it was a pity and we’re sorry.”
“Our goal is always to empower women, which is why I’m truly sorry to anyone we’ve personally offended,” Wilcox said.
“People who know me know that’s not what I’m about, and our culture and beliefs are a direct reflection of me as a business leader. That’s why it’s on me,” he said.
