Why this female worker wants to ditch her shirt
Shianne Fox, an Australian landscaper and tradeswoman known as “The Bikini Tradie,” sparked a debate on gender equality when she criticized the double standard in her industry. Working in the heat on a 104°F (40°C) day, she was told she couldn’t go shirtless while the men on-site could. Fox, who often works in a bikini top, argued that women should have the same right as men to work topless, calling the restriction sexist and unfair.
While some men supported her, saying it wasn’t distracting, others criticized her stance. Some female tradeswomen also disagreed, feeling her actions hurt the credibility of women in the industry. Despite the backlash, Fox believes speaking out could encourage more women to join male-dominated trades.
However, the bigger issue remains the significant gender gap in blue-collar jobs. A 2023 survey found a 12:1 ratio of men to women in trade work. Fox’s viral moment raises a deeper question: Should women focus on topless equality, or the larger challenge of breaking into these industries in the first place?
