‘Men at work’ signs to disappear in Atlanta
July 11, 2008 by Fred HosierPosted in: Dubious decisions, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views
Anyone in HR who has written a help wanted ad or a policy document knows how to make them gender neutral. You’d never use “men” or a masculine pronoun.
Along those lines, women’s magazine editor Cynthia Good has won her battle in Atlanta. Road crew signs will no longer say “Men at Work” or “Men Working Ahead.”
The Atlanta Public Works Commissioner has agreed with Good’s request to make the signs gender neutral.
From now on, they’ll say, “Workers Ahead.”
Public Works is replacing 50 signs. It costs $22 to cover old signs and $144 for a new one.
Good, founding editor of PINK magazine, a publication for professional women, started her campaign by painting “wo” in front of “men” on two road signs. Police visited her to ask about her sign painting.
Good expects to extend her campaign to other places where the signs still insist that only men are working.
Tags: gender neutral, men at work, signs

July 21st, 2008 at 11:34 am
In Virginia, we laugh repeatedly at SLOW MEN WORKING signs.
Workers ahead would be a great and positive change.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:22 am
This is one of the biggest issues facing our country and within corporate America….biased road signs.
February 27th, 2009 at 11:41 am
It is nice to know that there will be less “Works Ahead” so we can pay for new signs.