Office Workers Mock New 'Back To Work' Ad By Dettol

As part of a new campaign to promote the use of hand sanitiser, Dettol has teamed up with Transport For London to extol the virtues of getting back to work.

But it seems the idea of 'plastic plants', 'proper bants', and 'taking the lift' didn't exactly strike the right chord with its desired audience.

The new poster has caused a stir on social media today, with most people confused and offended.

Sharing a picture of the poster, one person said: "It's probably the words 'bants' and 'cheeky' which annoy me the most about this advert."

A second joked: "The worst thing about that Dettol advert everyone is retweeting is the line about work colleagues being 'your second family'. I'd rather have a pint with the Manson Family than my work colleagues."

Another quipped: "Ironically, this advert for Dettol makes me want to drink Dettol."

A fourth wrote: "Do they really think people are being sentimental about office work?! That whole 'second family' thing reeks of desperation."

While another said: "I think the Dettol advert is further proof of how self absorbed the advertising industry is... "

It is one of a series of posters that have been placed along the tube lines in London, with others promoting the morning commute and children returning to school.

For those of you who have yet to see the controversial ad, here it is in full: "Hearing an alarm. Putting on a tie. Carrying a handbag. Receptionists. Caffeine-filled air. Taking a lift. Seeing your second family. Watercooler conversations. Proper bants. The boss's jokes.

"Plastic plants. Office gossip. Those weird carpets. Face-to-face meetings. Not having to make lunch. CCing. BCCing. Accidentally replying-all. Hearing buzzwords. Leaving early for a cheeky afternoon in the sun."

PA

Not everyone was so offended by the ad, however. Some thought it was actually quite 'funny'.

Defending the cleaning brand, one person said: "It is a Dettol advert. It is funny. Some of us are looking forward to spending some time in the office. Some of us actually like our colleagues and enjoy spending time with them. And miss that. Some people like to complain about everything."

Responding to criticism over its advert, a spokesperson for Dettol wrote in a tweet: "More Londoners are on the move again. So we wanted to talk about the things we've missed. And the things we haven't. (And it's clear there are plenty of those!) Whatever you are on the move for. There are little things we can do to help protect each other."

Topics: Coronavirus, Health

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

@SmithersDom