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

[SidewaysOtter]

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.

Yep. I'm disabled so it's a big bonus for me that everything is in bags and I don't have to remove items from the crates. Much easier.

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

Same. I have to put my family first so I shall continue using them for the same reasons. I need those bags! I have asked Asda, Morrisons, Tesco & Sainsbury’s if they can make adjustments for my disability by allowing me to pay for my shopping to arrive in bags and each of them have said a variance of “absolutely not. No way”. So Ocado it is.

Besides, it doesn’t matter what Ocado’s social media team’s personal views are, this week’s ruling still stands. Shopping with them doesn’t reinforce their views! They’re always going to have lots of customers. There’s tens of thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of people who fall into the category of either agreeing with their views, not caring either way or those who don’t know anything about their views. Even if they lose a thousand customers as a result of this post on Mumsnet, it won’t make a dent in their numbers.

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.

Interesting Damson, can you screenshot?

@justinemumsnet have you received an official apology from Ocado? @mnhq

The person’s name and some personal info redacted.

Thanks, @DamsonGoldfinch .

How quickly that reverse gear can be found, eh.

@DamsonGoldfinch that's a very big response initially to mnhq from a mere contractor??

so they will partner mn??

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

Isn’t it just?

Is that the beeping of a reversing ferret?

I spend about £1.2 a month with Ocado but will go elsewhere if they stick with TWAW

Oh FFS i just started using Ocado as I’ve had massive problems with my Morrisons deliveries. I was really impressed with their stuff (have a delivery coming today so too late to cancel now). Why do these companies insist on biting the hand that feeds them?

OCADO LOOK AFTER YOUR FEMALE CUSTOMERS YOU TWATS!!

🚨 🚨 STAND CLEAR, I REPEAT STAND CLEAR, THIS FERRET IS REVERSING 🚨 🚨

Yes, it's always a very recognisable sound:

"It wasn't us, gov. It was a contractor / intern / someone who is no longer with us"

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

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

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

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.

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 🤔

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

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

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

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 . 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.