Why this female worker wants to ditch her shirt
Australian Tradeswoman Sparks Debate Over Topless Equality
Double Standards at Work
Shianne Fox, a Sydney landscaper known as “The Bikini Tradie,” went viral after questioning why men can work shirtless in extreme heat,
but women cannot. On a 104°F (40°C) day, she told TikTok: “It’s a f—ing 40-degree day today and I’m the one who has to wear my shirt,
while all the boys on-site don’t have to wear theirs… It’s a double standard, it’s sexist.”
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Comfort vs. Professionalism
Fox often works in a bikini top and believes her request is natural and fair: “At the end of the day,
they’re just a natural thing… If you’re going to be childish and feel like they’re going to be distracting,then you should just grow up.”
Critics argue workplace standards exist for professionalism, not personal comfort.
Mixed Reactions
While many men support her stance, some female tradies feel Fox undermines their credibility.
One commented, “She does not speak for us female tradies.”
The Bigger Picture
Women remain vastly underrepresented in trades, with a 12:1 male-to-female ratio.
Fox says her goal is to encourage more women to enter male-dominated industries.
