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Original poster

To let you know that Ocado think women’s rights are “hateful political views”?

166 replies

SidewaysOtter · 17/04/2025 18:36

Have a look at MNHQ’s post on this thread: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5316215-thank-you-mnhq?reply=143605436&utm_campaign=reply&utm_medium=share

“When we included a call to clarify the definition of sex in the Equality Act in our 2024 Mumsnet Manifesto, Ocado – who had been excited about a partnership – abruptly pulled out, citing Mumsnet’s “hateful political views”. Despite repeated attempts to explain our position – as a platform committed to amplifying women’s voices – they’ve refused to speak to us ever since.”

I was about to start shopping with them for occasional “stocking up” deliveries but they won’t be getting a penny of my money if this is their view of women’s rights. Obviously not everyone feels as I do but I should imagine women make up the majority of their customers. I won’t support a business that thinks women’s rights - or even just women being given a space in which to speak and discuss - is “hateful”.

So fuck off, Ocado, and you can take your hateful political views with you.

Page 6 | Thank you MNHQ | Mumsnet

I don't post much on here anymore but just wanted to take a moment today to thank Mumsnet {mention:MNHQ} and Justine in particular for standing strong...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5316215-thank-you-mnhq?reply=143605436

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
BunnyRuddington · 18/04/2025 16:26

CurbsideProphet · 18/04/2025 15:39

I would like the full list of companies who refused to advertise with Mumsnet.

Me too.

EasterParadeHats · 18/04/2025 15:51

No it's much bigger than a customer service issues

EasterParadeHats · 18/04/2025 15:43

@LindorDoubleChoc agree and they have spent much money investing in rainbow Vans and then what they called progressive Vans.

ChocolatesAndRainbows · 18/04/2025 15:40

Deleted my account, why these big companies just stop being so bloody political.

CurbsideProphet · 18/04/2025 15:39

I would like the full list of companies who refused to advertise with Mumsnet.

Snorlaxo · 18/04/2025 15:35

I think M&S are one of those employers who made their employees wear pronoun badges? As Ocado is the online arm, I’m not surprised that they are full on gender warriors.

Boiledbeetle · 18/04/2025 15:31

Vegemiteandhoneyontoast · 18/04/2025 15:27

Most are incredulous that a temp would have the authority to cancel an advertising contract. No one believes them.

Show quote history

I think they are conflating the current outrage over what they did in 2024 with their previous fuck up a few years ago that was blamed on a temporary contractor that no longer works for them.

I imagine a meeting at Ocado head office will be occurring after the Bank Holiday weekend!

Vegemiteandhoneyontoast · 18/04/2025 15:27

Screamingabdabz · 18/04/2025 15:09

What are the replies on X saying? Anything good?

Most are incredulous that a temp would have the authority to cancel an advertising contract. No one believes them.

Screamingabdabz · 18/04/2025 15:09

What are the replies on X saying? Anything good?

BobnLen · 18/04/2025 15:04

I had 6 months free pass and lots of money off gifts plus chocolates but didn't bother carrying it on, they weren't all that good,

socialdilemmawhattodo · 18/04/2025 14:58

EasterParadeHats · 18/04/2025 08:04

Has anyone emailed ocado yet about this

I did do last time there was an issue. They wouldn't reply initially and then told me after several chasers that it wasn't a customer services issue. It must have been pre covid as I then needed to sort deliveries for 2 households so Ididnt cancel delivery then.

NHSisOver · 18/04/2025 14:45

I’ve just bought an annual smart pass so am stuck with them for now but will switch when that expires.

AnSolas · 18/04/2025 14:44

SidewaysOtter · 18/04/2025 12:38

They’ve apologised! I mean, it’s all very weaselly as they’ve blamed someone else (🙄) and a bit begrudging but it is an apology nonetheless!

x.com/ocado/status/1913185791271903512?s=46

A "temp" making serious branding decisions?

With no involvement or oversight with anybody in a more senior position?

The temp had the ability to bind the company into a legal contract with MN?

And nobody else in the team knew what was happening at any stage?

Or if they knew did not question why access to the shopping public who use MN was suddenly dropped?

If the tweet is true Heather Bygrave of Deloitte needs to have a close look at how they claim their controls work and how they actually work in real life before signing off on the next audit

Vatsallfolks · 18/04/2025 14:32

Yep sorry Ocado .. I never will .. entirely because of this stance

AnSolas · 18/04/2025 14:26

OldCottageGreenhouse · 18/04/2025 11:52

Surely this is just the views of their social media team, though?

No it is not.
The social media team dont make up their own standards when deciding who they do business with.

Or if the SM tram are doing that the senior managers have zero corporate governance controls in place and should hand back any any salary, pension pot, bonus. share deals etc they got paid from shareholders money and find new jobs.

Testingmypatience1 · 18/04/2025 14:24

Ummm firstly I have been with Ocado since it was launched and I use them for two deliveries a week and have done for years with their pass, I even stuck with them when they ditched Waitrose. This was not on my radar until just now.

Bloody hell. This is not unacceptable! Of course a ‘temporary contractor’ does not make huge partnership decisions, and secondly how are the views of 1% of the population more important to Ocado than their core customer base?

I am livid and insulted.
It’s a non apology and its been rushed out in haste.

Ocado, you are going to need to do much better than this! Wtaf!

LindorDoubleChoc · 18/04/2025 14:23

Well, in Justine's post yesterday she says

When we included a call to clarify the definition of sex in the Equality Act in our 2024 Mumsnet Manifesto, Ocado – who had been excited about a partnership – abruptly pulled out, citing Mumsnet’s “hateful political views”. Despite repeated attempts to explain our position – as a platform committed to amplifying women’s voices – they’ve refused to speak to us ever since.

That doesn't sound like it was a mistake they've just suddenly become aware of Hmm. Obviously there was further information coming from Mumsnet at that time which the powers that be at Ocado were simply ignoring. And refusing to engage with MN.

I am sceptical with a very big S.

EasterParadeHats · 18/04/2025 14:13

Probably because it's low level customer service still or a manager.
I would expect something this dreadful to be dealt with by someone far higher up and a far more meaningful response taking in the original comment and strongly refuting it

Boiledbeetle · 18/04/2025 14:04

SidewaysOtter · 18/04/2025 12:38

They’ve apologised! I mean, it’s all very weaselly as they’ve blamed someone else (🙄) and a bit begrudging but it is an apology nonetheless!

x.com/ocado/status/1913185791271903512?s=46

And they couldn't even be arsed to tag Mumsnet into their faux apology.

GCAcademic · 18/04/2025 13:47

BiologicalRobot · 18/04/2025 13:44

That's very interesting. Since when do temporary contractors decide on huge advertising sponsorships with other companies? I would have thought that was board level dis/approval 🤔

Show quote history

Yeah, I don't buy it. It's pretty implausible.

BiologicalRobot · 18/04/2025 13:44

DamsonGoldfinch · 18/04/2025 12:17

I have been in touch with Ocado and got the following response:

These comments are not representative of us as a company, and we believe they were made by a temporary contractor who is no longer with the business. We apologise unreservedly to Mumsnet.

That's very interesting. Since when do temporary contractors decide on huge advertising sponsorships with other companies? I would have thought that was board level dis/approval 🤔

C152 · 18/04/2025 13:23

OldCottageGreenhouse · 18/04/2025 11:52

Surely this is just the views of their social media team, though?

No, a company that large will have very strict brand guidelines which everyone in the social media team will stick to, whether they are responsible for drafting, proofing, approving or posting a message. Their job is to promote the views of the Company.

ArchibaldBoyd · 18/04/2025 13:00

I stopped using them when they first started spouting their misogynistic twaddle years ago.

CamillaMacauley · 18/04/2025 12:59

wow, I shop with them regularly. Won’t anymore. Thanks for the heads up.

greenapplepie · 18/04/2025 12:49

I didn’t realise this but I will still continue to use Ocado as they are the only reliable delivery service in my area.