Debates about the differences and inequalities between men and women have shaped societies for centuries, and they remain just as relevant in the modern workplace. One recent example has sparked intense discussion online after a female landscaper in Sydney, Australia, called out what she believes is a clear double standard: why are men allowed to work shirtless in extreme heat, while women are not?
Working outdoors in high temperatures can be brutal. Anyone who has spent hours on a road crew, construction site, or landscaping job under a blazing sun knows how physically draining it can be. For many people, it’s still a familiar sight to see male workers remove their shirts on especially hot days. While it may be less common now than in the past, it’s not unusual to spot men working with bare, sunburned shoulders when the temperature soars.
Shianne Fox, an Australian tradeswoman who goes by “The Bikini Tradie” on social media, reignited this long-running conversation when she posted a TikTok video venting her frustration. On a day when temperatures reached 104°F (40°C), she said she was told she could not remove her shirt, even though the men on the job site were allowed to do so. In the video, Fox expressed anger at what she described as sexism and an unfair workplace rule, arguing that she simply wanted the same treatment as her male coworkers. According to her, the justification she was given—that it would “distract” the men—was both insulting and outdated.
Fox often works wearing a bikini top due to the intense heat and says her request was about equality, not provocation. She has spent more than four years working in male-dominated trades and says she is comfortable in her own body. From her perspective, there is nothing inappropriate about being topless, especially when male colleagues are already allowed to do so. She argues that breasts are a natural part of the human body and should not automatically be viewed as distracting or unprofessional.
However, her stance has divided public opinion. Some critics argue that workplace standards and social norms exist to maintain professionalism and that personal comfort should not override those expectations. Others believe her argument challenges ingrained gender rules that unfairly restrict women while excusing the same behavior in men. Fox has acknowledged that her views are controversial, but she says her intention is to push boundaries and possibly encourage more women to consider careers in the trades.
The reaction from other women in the industry has been mixed, and in some cases, openly critical. Several female tradespeople have distanced themselves from Fox, saying she does not represent them. Some worry that her online persona—especially videos of her working in a bikini top—undermines their efforts to be taken seriously in skilled labor roles. Comments from women in the field suggest concern that her approach could damage the credibility of female tradies who are already fighting to be respected in male-dominated environments.
At the same time, many men online supported Fox’s argument, agreeing that if men are allowed to work shirtless, women should have the same option. Others dismissed the debate entirely, offering sarcastic remarks or suggesting that the issue was being blown out of proportion.
Beyond the viral controversy, the discussion highlights a larger issue: women remain significantly underrepresented in blue-collar and trade professions. A 2023 Deloitte survey found a striking 12-to-1 ratio of men to women in trade work. This imbalance raises a broader question about priorities—whether the focus should be on symbolic equality, such as topless rules, or on removing deeper barriers that prevent women from entering and advancing in these industries.
Despite the challenges and the gender gap, Fox has said she enjoys working in male-dominated fields. She disputes the idea that women are constantly harassed on job sites, explaining that confidence and self-respect go a long way. According to her, standing your ground and carrying yourself with assurance often earns respect. As the debate continues, her story has become a lightning rod for conversations about gender norms, workplace expectations, and what true equality should look like in physically demanding professions.