The differences between men and women in the workplace have been debated for years, and the conversation is still ongoing today.
Now, a female landscaper in Sydney, Australia, has sparked a discussion online by questioning a workplace rule—why can men work shirtless in the heat, but women can’t?
“It’s a scorching 40-degree day…” Working outdoors in extreme heat is tough. If you’ve ever been on a construction site or road crew in the summer, you know how exhausting it can be.
It’s not unusual to see male workers without shirts. While it’s less common today, some still choose to work with bare shoulders to stay cool.
Shianne Fox, an Australian tradeswoman known as “The Bikini Tradie” on social media, took to TikTok after being told she had to keep her shirt on during a 104°F (40°C) workday.
“It’s a scorching day, and I have to wear my shirt while all the guys don’t,” she said. “It’s unfair, and I’m over it. I just want the same rules—but apparently, I’d be ‘distracting.’”
Fox, who often wears a bikini top at work, said she wasn’t trying to push boundaries—just asking for equal treatment.
Fair debate or going too far? Fox, who has worked in trades for over four years, says she’s comfortable in her own skin and doesn’t see anything inappropriate about her request.
She argued that being topless should not be a distraction, as it is a natural thing. However, critics pointed out that workplace rules and professionalism matter.
“A lot of guys work without shirts. I thought it was only fair that I could, too,” she said.
Not everyone agrees Some female tradies disagreed, arguing that her approach affects their credibility.
“She does not represent all female tradespeople,” one woman commented.
Meanwhile, many men supported her. “I don’t think anyone would complain,” one wrote.
The bigger issue A 2023 Deloitte survey found that men outnumber women in trades 12:1. Some argue the real fight is increasing female representation—not changing dress codes.
Despite the imbalance, Fox says she enjoys working in a male-dominated industry.
“If you stand your ground, men will respect you,” she said.