The Isle of Man government is facing serious backlash after posting a poorly-phrased weather warning about Storm Eunice last week.
The Department of Infrastructure for the Isle of Man has been accused of "sexism" and "misogyny" after issuing a warning to locals about a potential road closure after the wind changed direction.
In the post, the department claimed that Storm Eunice had changed her mind "like most women."
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The Facebook post read: "A road closure is in place for Peel Promenade 10am Friday 18 February 2022. Due to a change in the wind direction this closure will not go ahead unless required.
"Thank you for your patience and understanding, but like most women Eunice changes her mind what she's doing."
Soon after, the department was met with serious backlash and criticism from locals, including one comment from school librarian Helen Jessopp who described it as "offensive."
Helen, from Port Erin, Isle of Man, said: "I thought it was a bit outdated and close to the wire for a government department to post something that could be considered quite inflammatory in this day and age.
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"This is an example of everyday sexism. It's the sort of micro aggression that needs to be called out. It's so normalised and a lot of people don't realise that it's offensive and outdated.
"It comes across as it being just a bit of banter or a joke, but when it's constant and it comes from a government department, that goes beyond a joke and a bit of banter. It's the small things that add up."
Under the controversial post, Helen commented: "Weird how it's not named after a man then, seeing as like most men it's going to get violent and unpredictably damage property and maybe people haha."
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Soon after she posted her comment, the post was deleted.
Helen said: "The fact it was taken down so quickly and the writing style of it made me think it might have been someone who isn't normally in charge of social media.
"They might have thought it was an off-the-cuff, flippant comment and not really thinking it through.
"I think it was probably someone who doesn't have those comments aimed at them and realise it's not just a stand alone thing, but one of many that people can encounter in a short period of time from different places."
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Even after it was taken down, other bemused social media users took to Twitter to discuss the 'outdated' joke - though opinions were divided.
One person tweeted: "2022 and casual misogyny is still alive and well on the Isle of Man and from an @IOMGovernment department too."
A second wrote: "Poorly judged, poorly worded, poorly executed. The joke isn't even funny, don't understand why the OP thought it was a good idea."
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Complaining that people couldn't take a joke, one man wrote: "Are people really offended by this?! What a world we live in."
Another tweeted: "Or take it in the way intended it is called old fashioned humour not offensive or I maybe a grumpy old man can I say that."
A spokesperson for the Isle of Man Department of Infrastructure has since come forward to say: "The Department of Infrastructure is aware of a message posted on its Facebook page this morning, and subsequently amended, which fell below the standards expected of our organisation.
"Measures are being taken to ensure this does not happen again."
Ali Condon