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Opportunity for positive change after On The Tools industry event sparked outrage
Industry leaders recently gathered to discuss the fallout from the On The Tools Awards 2024, where women dressed in skin-tight, hi-vis jumpsuits were hired to help promote the event.
Following the event, EDI expert Harriet Waley-Cohen published a LinkedIn post criticising the decision to hire women dressed in “hyper sexualised outfits designed around construction safety kit”.
In the post, titled ‘Sexist WTF of the Week’, Waley-Cohen revealed that a group of whistleblowers, including men and women from the industry, were “appalled by the regressive, sexist messaging” at the event.
Responding to the backlash, On The Tools co-founder and CEO Lee Wilcox posted a public apology, admitting “this was a f#*k up and we’re sorry”.
“We really do believe in our mission and we really do want to make positive change, but we agree, outside looking in, this doesn’t look like a business trying to do that,” Wilcox said.
“We always aim to empower women, which is why I’m personally really really sorry to anyone we’ve offended.
“Those who know me, know this isn’t what I’m about, and as the leader of the business our culture and beliefs are a reflection of me directly. Which is why this is on me.”
‘Sexualised, devalued and unsafe’
To discuss the fallout, Wilcox joined Waley-Cohen and Faye Allen, EDI champion and director at construction advisory firm J.S. Held, for an online debate.
During the discussion, Waley-Cohen said that many women are leaving construction or are wary of joining the industry. She explained this was largely because of “the situation they face around being sexualised, devalued [or] feeling unsafe in the workplace”.
“They’re either moving to slightly different careers than the ones they originally wanted to pursue, or they’re leaving the industry completely,” she said.
Allen, who has conducted extensive research on the experiences of women working in construction, added: “We have to make sure people understand their own misogyny, because women have it as well as men. That [is] why some of the people in that room [at the On The Tools event] just shrugged it off and thought ‘oh, it’s alright’.”
Committed to postive change
Construction and EDI leaders have now pledged their support to help On The Tools improve its strategic approach to promoting EDI in the industry.
As part of this commitment, Mark Harrison, head of EDI at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), has agreed to participate in a focus group that is being established to deliver positive change following the sexism row.
Harrison commented: “Given the people and skills gaps in the sector, and the evident underrepresentation of women in construction, it is crucial that the industry makes a sustained effort to become more attractive and welcoming to all.”
I think it’s a disgrace that members of the CIOB who attended the event did’nt speak out or walk out. Staying silent is the same as accepting which goes against the very moral fiber of the CIOB ethics. It just goes to show that there are members out there who can’t walk the talk. Being a member of the CIOB means standing up and speaking out when the codes of ethics are challenged, and this will seperate those who participate in promoting excellence to those who are bystanders.
Agree with this point. We all, no matter what our gender, need to act, consistently, in full alignment with our values and ethics. Staying silent is indeed often akin to supporting. This will always be easier for some than others, but by a small group being bold this enables others the confidence to act. Professionalism not sensationalism in any action is imperative
Shame on CEO Lee Wilcox, not for his harmless, if attention seeking, coup de theatre, but for his grovelling and unjustified apology. We must assume that the female participants chose to willingly take part, and do not share the subsequent hysterical on-line reactions led by so-called “industry leaders”, whose orchestrated criticisms come across as disproportionate and self-serving. They also perpetuate the myth that most men are misogynist, when plainly most men do not hate all women. If you are always looking for a reason to be offended, it will always find you. D W Gray MSc.
Mistake is a mistake and if accepted, must not prompt further pinpointing but rather find a solution to avoid such incidents in future. Lesson for one and all. Time to bring in respect for all and stay firmly on it.