Sexism Row Erupts After Construction Awards Event Features Female Performers in Skimpy Outfits

A construction industry awards ceremony has sparked controversy and widespread criticism following the appearance of female performers dressed in skin-tight, builder-themed outfits, leading to calls for change within the sector.

The event, organized by On The Tools, a prominent online community for builders, came under fire after photos circulated showing women dressed in tight-fitting costumes inspired by personal protective equipment (PPE) and performing on stilts. The display, intended to entertain the audience, quickly became the subject of heated debate.

Faye Allen, a diversity campaigner and former director at construction company Arcadis, expressed her frustration with the event. She was contacted by “horrified” attendees, including one woman who felt uncomfortable when she “literally walked into a crotch.” Allen, who has worked in the industry for 30 years, voiced her concerns about the ongoing struggles women face in construction, particularly regarding proper-fitting PPE. “To have people put on hi-vis colours and dress like that is frustrating,” she said. “We’ve been fighting really hard for PPE that fits women and other diverse groups. It has to change.”

Harriet Waley-Cohen, another advocate for diversity, took to LinkedIn to condemn the event, calling it a “regressive, sexist” display. She argued that those involved in organizing the event “decided that it’s OK to sexualise and devalue women in the industry.” Waley-Cohen pointed out that women in construction already face significant challenges, including shorter careers than their male counterparts. “What happened at the awards absolutely reinforces all of this,” she said, noting that incidents like this contribute to the unsafe and sexualized environment many women face in the field.

The controversy deepened after a photo from the event circulated on social media, showing a sign featuring a loading bar at 69% progress, with the caption “Getting drunk, please wait…” This further fueled outrage, with many critics arguing that it perpetuated toxic behavior within the industry. Allen remarked, “The industry will never be inclusive if this messaging carries on. Women don’t want tacky events or people getting drunk for the sake of it; we just want respect and to be able to do our jobs.”

In response to the backlash, Lee Wilcox, the chief executive of On The Tools, issued a public apology on LinkedIn. He acknowledged that the company had used an external contractor to plan the event but had failed to review the performers’ outfits beforehand. “This was a mess-up, and we’re sorry,” Wilcox wrote, adding that the company’s goal was always to empower women. He personally reached out to both Allen and Waley-Cohen to apologize for the incident.

The fallout from the awards ceremony comes at a time when research reveals the ongoing struggles women face in construction. According to Allen’s forthcoming book, Building Women: How Everyone in Construction Can Win, one in four women in the industry were sexually assaulted at work in 2023, equating to around 74,000 women in British construction.

The incident has highlighted the need for further reform in the construction sector, with many calling for a more inclusive and respectful culture for women in the industry.