Following an online backlash last year when scantily clad showgirls were used in some exhibitions, UK Construction Week (UKCW) has released a guide for its 600+ exhibitors to help promote greater equality, diversity and inclusion in their marketing at the show.
The event is run by Media 10, but ran into trouble last year when the showgirls were used to promote certain stands and products, which caused outrage and shock among the industry.
The guide has been created with the help of a new steering committee including contractors Balfour Beatty, Willmott Dixon and the RICS.
It sets out an exhibitor code of conduct for on-stand design and themes, as well as the staffing of stands.
Exhibitors are encouraged to “consider the mix of staff you have on the stand (gender, age, ethnicity etc). Do they represent the diversity of your company, and if not, be prepared to explain why not.”
The code also covers clothing worn by promotional staff and the activities on stands.
The guide also warns that if an exhibitor’s stand theme is deemed inappropriate or non-compliant with the UKCW equality, diversity and inclusion policy, they may not be permitted to open their stand at the event.
Nathan Garnett, director of UK Construction Week, said: “We want the show to be lively, fun and engaging, and these measures should not be interpreted as restrictions upon that. Promoting a more diverse and inclusive image of construction is a joyful thing.
“But the fear of getting it wrong is holding the construction industry back from a frank conversation about diversity, equality and inclusion.
“We got it wrong last year, and faced criticism on social media. So we’re still learning too. We have benefited enormously from the input of many diversity champions and leaders within the construction industry over the last couple of years and have published the videos from our Diversity in Construction panel discussions so that others can hear their advice as well.”
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Why are we always swinging from one extreme to the other? Am as much opposed to gender (and any other) discrimination as many of my colleagues, but let’s not aim for a sexless, colorless, regimented uniform world. Both men and women will then die of boredom.
I wonder if you ever consulted with the women concerned who would see this as employment, otherwise it is no more than job/gender discrimination.
Walking into UKCW last year was like going back into the 1970s in any other industry. Some of the other comments on here just reinforce that. No wonder pretty much every other profession thinks that people in construction are backward. Well done to UKCW, but I’m ashamed my industry even needed to have this as a rule.