Shianne Fox, an Australian landscaper who goes by the social media handle “The Bikini Tradie,” has taken the discussion about gender equality in the workplace in an unexpected direction. After asking why women cannot work shirtless in intense temperatures while men can, Fox has ignited a contentious controversy. Discussions concerning gender equality, dress codes for the workplace, and double standards have been sparked by her audacious position.
With more than four years of experience in male-dominated trades, Fox frequently wears a bikini top to work in order to beat the heat. While her male coworkers worked shirtless on a recent day that was 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), she was instructed to wear a shirt. Her frustration led her to express her worries on TikTok.
In her video, Fox stated, “I’m really over it; it’s a double standard and sexist.” “All I want is to be topless like the boys, but I’ll ‘distract them,'”
Fox contends that since the human body is natural, her being topless shouldn’t be viewed as improper or distracting, particularly as males are permitted to work shirtless in similar settings. To reflect actual gender equality, she thinks society’s perceptions must change.
Reactions to her stance have been divided. Many supporters, including men, have applauded her for speaking up and concurring that everyone should be subject to the same clothing code at work. Critics counter that men and women are subject to different social norms about public toplessness and that dress codes are in place to preserve professionalism.
Fox’s social media presence, which she frequently posts in a bikini top, has also drawn criticism from some female tradeswomen who believe it undermines the legitimacy of women in the field. “She doesn’t speak for us women who are tradies,” someone said.
Fox has not wavered in her stance in the face of criticism. She views herself as a supporter of women in trades and hopes that by being vocal, she will inspire other women to pursue careers in these fields and contribute to the reduction of the gender gap. In trade jobs, men outweigh women by a ratio of 12 to 1, per a 2023 Deloitte survey.
Fox’s viral moment brings up crucial issues: Is breaking into male-dominated businesses the true obstacle, or should the emphasis be on topless equality? Fox feels that promoting inclusivity and altering preconceptions require her to stand her ground.
One thing is certain despite the continued disagreements: the argument brings to light the larger difficulties in attaining gender equality in the workplace as well as the continuous debates concerning professionalism, individual rights, and society norms.
