Briton fights for men's rights.

BBC Online ^ | 2/24/03 | Unknown

[scouse]

Sex row over tie rule

A man who was ordered to wear a shirt and tie at work is a victim of sexual discrimination, an employment tribunal has been told.

A dress code brought in by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stipulated that men working in Jobcentre Plus offices had to wear a collar and tie to work - but set no similar stipulation for women.

Now Matthew Thompson, an administrative assistant at Jobcentre Plus in Stockport, Greater Manchester, has taken a test case against the DWP complaining of sexual discrimination.

Women in his office were allowed to wear T-shirts and on one occasion, one of his female colleagues even wore a football shirt without facing disciplinary action, Mr Thompson told the tribunal in Manchester.

"It may not be the convention for women to wear a collar and tie but the point I am making is that a similar standard of business dress is not applied to women as it is to myself," he said.

"Women are allowed to wear T-shirts, they have logos on the T-shirts, and on at least one occasion they have worn football tops," he added.

Before the hearing, Mr Thompson said he seldom came into contact with the public.

He added: "My duties are post sorting, distributing computer printouts, photocopying and issuing documents internally and through the post to customers.

If men are expected to wear shirts and ties, women should also wear suitable formal office clothes.

"Women are not required to wear any specified items of clothing. The dress standard makes no sense.

"Why should I be threatened with the sack if I do not wear a tie?"

Mr Thompson's case is being backed by the Public and Commercial Services union, which has another 39 cases ready to be followed up.

National officer David Burke said Jobcentre Plus workers faced fines of up to 10% of their salary as well as dismissal for refusing to conform to the dress code.

He said: "The code is draconian and unreasonable."

A spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions said the dress code was part of a drive to provide improved services to the public.

"It puts us on a level with banks and building societies," she added.

Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/2791943.stm

Published: 2003/02/24 14:34:45

[scouse]

"It puts us on a level with banks and building societies," she added.

Governmment agencies are just dying to appear legitmate

[sauropod]

I prefer something like a maid's uniform or an airline stewerdess's uniform complete w/ fishnets < g>

[sauropod]

I prefer something like a maid's uniform or an airline stewerdess's uniform complete w/ fishnets < g>

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I prefer something like a maid's uniform or an airline stewerdess's uniform complete w/ fishnets < g>

Yes, but the real question would be.... do you look GOOD in that outfit?

[hellinahandcart]

Careful what you ask for; he's got pictures. :D

[sauropod]

Ummm.... Precisely!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I'm a big girl, I'm not afraid of pictures........

[sauropod]

Care to oblige?

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Oh good, Billie has pictures of you in fishnet stockings? Wait, let me get a beer and sit back........ ok, I'm ready........

[sauropod]

Better have a cold shower ready...

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I'll take my chances....... lol

[FreeTheHostages]

LOL, ah man, you are so BADLY in need of a life!! LOL.

Now get out there and LEAFLET!! Bring your kids and come leaflet with us at the MCI center Thursday night.

[Nick Danger]

This thread is as good a place as any for this gem:

An Albanian man smokes a cigarette as his wife carries hay alongside the national road in near Elbasan, near the capital of Tirana February 24, 2003. In rural Albania, tradition dictates that women to do all the house chores with men never helping as this is seen to be a sign of weakness.

[Billie]

Oh good, Billie has pictures of you in fishnet stockings? Wait, let me get a beer and sit back........ ok, I'm ready........

Well, sorta, anyway.......: )

[FreeTheHostages]

:) And, 'Pod, Billie's being nice. She's not showing the photo of you falling off of your high heels. :)

(What I love about *that* photo is that it means a DC Chapter had to have the first instinct to photograph it before rushing to help you. Hee hee.)

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Not exactly fishnet stockings, but who's counting, right? ROFL........now what was the occasion?

[sauropod]

I didn't know you had THAT one....

FTH, paybacks are a bitch....

What time Thursday?

[FreeTheHostages]

6:15 MCI Center. Anyone who leaflets for 1 hour gets free Chinese dinner at a great restaurant nearby at 7:15. Tgsltakoma's doing it. In fact, I think they were at the MCI Center leafletting last night.

[sauropod]

White House Correspondents Association Dinner..

Where else can you tell CarVILE and Begala what you think of 'em?

[FreeTheHostages]

FTH, paybacks are a bitch....

LOL, so you say, so you say, but who's afraid of a Nancy boy?