The ongoing conversation about gender equality has taken a new twist, and it’s happening on the hot and dusty job sites of Sydney, Australia. A female landscaper named Shianne Fox has sparked a fierce debate online after calling out what she views as a blatant double standard in her workplace. Fox, who has worked in male-dominated trades for more than four years, is questioning why men are allowed to work shirtless in extreme heat while women are expected to stay fully covered, even when temperatures soar past 100°F. Known on social media as “The Bikini Tradie,” Fox took to TikTok to voice her frustration over this workplace policy, and her comments have ignited a firestorm of opinions across the internet.
On a sweltering 104°F (40°C) day, Fox filmed herself venting about the situation. In her video, she pointed out how unfair it was that the men on her job site were allowed to remove their shirts to stay cool, while she was told to keep hers on. “It’s a f—ing 40-degree day today and I’m the one who has to wear my shirt, while all the boys on-site don’t have to wear theirs,” she said in her rant. “It’s a double standard, it’s sexist, and I’m actually really over it. I just want to be topless like the boys—but no, I will ‘distract them’.” According to Fox, she wasn’t making an outrageous demand; she was asking for equal treatment. She believes that if men can work without a shirt, women should have the same option, especially when battling intense heat on the job.
Fox’s position is clear: she’s comfortable in her own skin and doesn’t believe there’s anything inappropriate about working without a shirt. She often works in a bikini top, citing the brutal temperatures as the reason. In her view, toplessness shouldn’t be seen as distracting, but rather as a natural and practical choice. “I don’t think it should be ‘distracting’ because at the end of the day they’re just a natural thing. If you’re going to be childish and feel like they’re going to be distracting, then you should just grow up,” Fox told News.au.com. She argues that societal standards need to evolve and reflect fairness, especially in workplaces where physical labor under extreme conditions is involved.
However, her stance hasn’t been met with universal support. While many men in the comments cheered her on, there has been significant backlash, particularly from other women in the trades. Several female tradeswomen have distanced themselves from Fox, saying her social media presence—where she often posts photos and videos in minimal clothing—undermines their credibility in an already challenging field. One commenter stated, “She does not speak for us female tradies,” while another added, “She makes real female tradies look bad.” These women argue that professionalism and respect are hard-won in male-dominated industries, and that Fox’s approach threatens to undo the progress they’ve made.
Despite the criticism, Fox remains unapologetic. She believes her visibility can inspire other women to enter the trades, a sector where women are vastly underrepresented. In fact, a 2023 Deloitte survey revealed that men outnumber women in trade roles by a staggering 12 to 1. Fox hopes that by being outspoken and visible, she can break down barriers and encourage more women to consider careers in construction, landscaping, and other skilled labor industries. “I thought if I put myself out there, maybe other women will want to join the industry,” she explained.
Fox acknowledges that her approach is controversial, but she insists that the trades are not as hostile to women as some might think. “A lot of people say you get catcalled, but it’s nothing like that at all,” she said. “From my experience, if you just go in there with your head held high and if you don’t let men have it over you… stand your ground. They won’t do anything.” Fox believes confidence and resilience are key to thriving in male-dominated spaces and that gender shouldn’t dictate how someone dresses on a job site, especially when dealing with extreme weather.
As this debate continues to spread across social media, it raises deeper questions about what equality looks like in modern workplaces. Should the fight be about women having the right to work shirtless in the same way men do? Or should the focus remain on closing the gender gap and ensuring women have equal opportunities and respect in trades to begin with? Regardless of where people stand on this issue, one thing is clear—Fox has struck a nerve, and her story is pushing people to reconsider long-held workplace norms.
Whether you agree with Fox or not, the conversation she’s sparked highlights the broader challenges women face in traditionally male industries. As discussions about workplace equality evolve, so too will the questions about what’s appropriate, fair, and truly equal. For now, Fox says she’ll keep doing her job, head held high, hoping to pave the way for other women to follow.
