A construction awards ceremony has caused a stir after featuring models in revealing, high-visibility gear-inspired costumes. On The Tools, a UK-based online community for industry professionals, was called out by DEI activists over the uniforms, which they said “sexualised” the women hired for the event held on November 21, 2024.
The controversy erupted after photos from the event going around on the internet showed two women walking on stilts, dressed in costumes modelled on trade-standard personal protective equipment (PPE).
“When women are sexualised as eye candy like this, it tells every person present that women aren’t to be taken seriously, that they are objects for entertainment and titillation. It reinforces the idea that women’s value is in their looks, especially in how sexy others find them, not in their ability, experience or intelligence,” Harriet Waley-Cohen, a DEI expert, ranted in a LinkedIn post titled “sexist WTF of the week.”.
The consultant said a whistleblower from a group of men and women in construction reached out to her personally after the event, because no one felt safe publicly condemning the On The Tools awards.
“Women have far shorter careers than men in construction, according to RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) data. It’s not surprising women are leaving if they are unsafe at work and routinely sexualised. What happened [last week] absolutely reinforces all of this,” Waley-Cohen added.
Faye Allen, another diversity campaigner, said she was also approached by a woman who “literally walked into a crotch”, among other “horrified” attendees, The Telegraph reported.
The longtime professional said she was frustrated to see the models in hi-viz colours, especially after decades of advocating for proper PPE for women and other diverse groups.
“I’ve been in the industry for 30 years – I stopped working for contractors on site because I got sick of the way I was treated, and women are still being treated that way today. It has to change,” Allen added further.
On The Tools has since issued a public apology, with co-founder and CEO Lee Wilcox blaming the contractor he claimed to have hired for organising the awards.
“We asked for a construction theme but didn’t check the outfits. But no matter the ins and outs of it and how it happened, this was a f–k up and we’re sorry. We always aim to empower women, which is why I’m personally really, really sorry to anyone we’ve offended,” he said.
“Those that 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,” Wilcox added.