A female landscaper in Sydney has gone viral for calling out what she says is a blatant double standard on job sites — men can work shirtless in extreme heat, but women are expected to stay covered up.
Known online as “The Bikini Tradie,” Shianne Fox took to TikTok during a blistering 40°C (104°F) workday, frustrated that she had to keep her shirt on while her male coworkers didn’t. “It’s a f—ing 40-degree day and I have to wear my shirt. It’s sexist, and I’m over it,” she said.
Fox, who’s worked in male-dominated trades for over four years, argues that going shirtless shouldn’t be “distracting” — it’s simply natural. “We all have breasts. If they’re distracting, grow up,” she told news.com.au.
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While some praised her for pushing boundaries and speaking out about equality, others — including some female tradies — said she was damaging the industry’s image. “She does not speak for us,” one woman wrote.
Fox, who also shares content online, believes her visibility could inspire more women to join the trades. “I put myself out there so others might follow,” she explained.
The broader issue remains: with a 12:1 male-to-female ratio in blue-collar work, is the real fight about topless rights — or changing the face of the industry altogether?
🔥 What do you think? Should women have the same rights to beat the heat, or is this crossing a line?
