"Contractor fears outdated tradition puts off women visiting sites"
It seems the ubiquitous building site wolf whistles may become a thing of the past.
Leading construction firm George Wimpey announced today that it was to ban its workers from wolf whistling over fears the “outdated tradition� could put women off visiting their sites in search of property.
Sales and marketing director Richard Goad said he made the decision following a conversation with a female friend who had been whistled at by builders while visiting another site.
“She said it made her feel uncomfortable and embarrassed,� said Mr Goad. “I know lots of women don’t mind it – my wife is thrilled if she gets a whistle, and she’s not happy about me bringing this measure in – but it does make many women feel uncomfortable.
"If you went into a car showroom, you wouldn’t expect to be whistled at or to have that kind of attention directed at you, - why should you when looking at a new home?�
The edict was issued to workmen in the Bristol area at nine am this morning, and has been received well according to Goad. “They have been angered in the past by wolf whistles at their partners, so they understand why we have introduced this measure,� he said.
This is not another example of political correctness gone mad, however, insists Goad. “It is not a case of being PC�, he said. “We are simply trying to look at the overall picture - we are selling homes, we’re a shop in effect, our building sites are our shop windows – it doesn’t do to make people feel uncomfortable when you’re trying to sell something.�
The ban comes just days before the launch of George Wimpey’s Meridian housing development in Bristol at the Aztec Hotel on Saturday.
It has been introduced into six George Wimpey sites in Bristol but Mr Goad has confirmed that due to its positive reception, the ban was likely to soon be extended nationwide.
What are your thoughts?
RW Gale Ltd - Civils & Surfacing Contractors based in Somerset
The cynic in me thinks it’s an excellent way to get a bit of free advertising, which will hopefully be picked up as space filler in the nationals – because if you’re going to ban something then it’s usually the staff that you tell and not the press
Not to mention why the need for a partial implementation?
Because if it becomes unworkable then its likely to be something that whilst strictly not allowed isn’t actually enforced that vigorously, and nor is it the sort of thing they are likely to reinstate as a result of the findings in this partial ban
To be a fly on the wall of that meeting, the reimplementation of on-site wolf whistling and the proactive measures to ensure that all staff adhere to it on a daily basis
~ Signature gone to lunch, please call back in 1/2 an hour ~
I guess its a bit of an ageist thing, as all you are doing is letting the lasses know that their efforts to impress are working imho..9 out of ten just look up and smile in acknowledgement.. but did get a rather long lecture from one policewoman though.. just had to be done i'm afraid
general builder, maintenance engineer, gas and plumbing installations, extensions etc
I love being whistled at! I'm not one of those girls who hangs around building sites in short skirts or anything, but it makes a girl smile!
It'll be a sad day when the whistles stop!
Mrs James :laugh:
One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important.
Over here, a whistle coming from a construction site just gets an eye-roll and an "as if..!". Definitely not the way to impress a girl!
As many construction sites as I've been on, I don't even hear the whistles anymore. I've embarrassed more than one git who was stupid enough to proposition me in front of his work mates when I was trying to sell them supplies!
mine says the day i stop looking she will know there is something wrong... but if she ever catches me touching ....well, the thought doesnt bear thinkin about!:D
general builder, maintenance engineer, gas and plumbing installations, extensions etc
TarmacLady wrote:Over here, a whistle coming from a construction site just gets an eye-roll and an "as if..!". Definitely not the way to impress a girl!
As many construction sites as I've been on, I don't even hear the whistles anymore. I've embarrassed more than one git who was stupid enough to proposition me in front of his work mates when I was trying to sell them supplies!
That's all part of site life , and your terse treatment of the individual would have provided much amusement to his contemporaries I'm sure. With out such humourous interludes the day would be somewhat mundane would it not ???
general builder, maintenance engineer, gas and plumbing installations, extensions etc
