Water company blasted for worrying about causing offence with ‘men at work’ signs
A stock image of workers from Thames Water delivering a temporary water supply from a tanker to the village of Northend
PA
A water company has been blasted by woke activists for causing offence with “men at work” signs.
South West Water was forced to order a review after receiving a complaint for allegedly underplaying the contribution of its workers who are women.
The Equality Trust said the use of “men at work” signs was sexist.
The gendered caution sign was spotted on a roadside in Exton, Devon.
An image of two South West Water workers next to a van
South West Water
Director Priya Sahni-Nicholas said: “It is a reminder of the consistent undervaluing of women, especially in the world of work.”
However, campaigners and local residents have fired back and urged the water company to focus on tackling leaks and lifting its hosepipe ban.
Anti-woke activist Toby Young told The Sun: “The sign only needs to be changed if South West Water’s constructions teams working on the roads include women. Do they? I suspect not.
“I expect very few women are offended by the signs.
South West Water were recently fined for sewage dumping
PA
“Organisations like the Equality Trust are pretending to be offended to advance a woke political agenda.”
South West Water extended its hosepipe ban until December just two months ago.
The ban covers much of Cornwall and Devon in an attempt to protect water supplies for the summer.
Around 800,000 residents were placed under the ban and could face fines of up to £1,000 for breaching the order.
The announcement also came after the wettest March for 42 years.
Hosepipe ban in Devon and Cornwall could last until DECEMBER as water company warns of 'drought' despite wettest month on recordPA
But company-owners Pennon paid a £112million dividend to shareholders.
The dividend was paid after the company was fined £2.15million in April for dumping sewage.
A South West Water spokesperson said: “We are currently reviewing all of our signage to ensure it aligns with our business values.”
Southern Water, which covers neighbouring counties such as Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent, is also reportedly planning to hike its charge by an extra £279 a year by 2030.
Such an increase would mark a 73 per cent price rise.