Water company blasted for worrying about causing offence with ‘men at work’ signs

A WATER company has been blasted for worrying about causing offence from “men at work” signs.

South West Water ordered a review following a complaint that it deems “women’s contributions unimportant”.

But locals and campaigners said it should focus more on leaks and lifting its near-year-long hosepipe ban.

 The Equality Trust said a “men at work” notice put up by the roadside in Exton, Devon, was sexist.

Director Priya Sahni-Nicholas said: “It is a reminder of the ­consistent undervaluing of women, especially in the world of work.”

However, anti-woke culture campaigner Toby Young said: “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. Organisations like the Equality Trust are pretending to be offended to advance a woke political agenda.”

In April, South West Water extended a hosepipe ban until December — after the wettest March in 42 years. Meanwhile, owners Pennon paid a huge £112million dividend to shareholders despite being fined £2.15million in April for dumping sewage.

Chris Hood, 30, from Plympton, said: “South West Water need to focus on lowering prices and sorting the hosepipe ban, not this rubbish.”

A company spokesperson said: “We are currently reviewing all of our signage to ensure it aligns with our business values.”

SOUTHERN Water is reportedly planning to charge customers an extra £279 a year by 2030, a 73 per cent rise.