Is this sex discrimination?

sportbeth

Just wondering if I am going mad here. I have a work event that I have to go to tomorrow night (an awards do) where I have to represent the company that I work for. I discovered last week that the men are having suits hired for them and paid for by the company so I approached the appropriate contact and discussed getting the cost of my outfit refunded too. I don’t have a suitable cocktail dress to wear (I don’t do this sort of thing very often) and so I assumed that I would be afforded whatever budget the menfolk had for hiring a Tux.
I was told in no uncertain terms that I was expected to buy my own outfit and the rules don’t apply to women. I was also told that other female staff had bought their own outfits or made do all year and that I should too and pocket the cost or just don’t go to the event if I’m not happy.
Bearing in mind that the credit crunch has kicked in I’m reluctant to fork out my own money for something that I will simply not wear again and have a firm principle knowing that it is effectively one rule for the men and another for the women. I have bought a very cheap £35 dress for the event but am truly miffed now and considering just not going and returning the dress. The only problem is how will that reflect on me seeing that no other women have picked a fight about the policy all year?

I have approached HR but tbh am nervous about kicking up a true fuss as I don't want to stand out in the crowd too much during a recession

skintchick

Of course it is discrimination - they should hire a dress for you just as they are hiring suits for the men. I don;t think you can ask them to BUY an outfit for you but they should treat you the same as the men and hire a suitable dress for you.

Having said that, how much do you want to rock the boat? Personally I'd approach HR with other women in the same position as you and say you want to be treated equally and have dresses hired for you.

lowis

that is absolutely sex discrimination - the company are providing a benefit to men but are unwilling to provide the same benefit to women.

FairyElephant_2

Skintchick is correct it IS discrimination....you should have an outfit hired for you in the same way that the men do, and I would def. take this up with your HR dept.

Good luck!

AnnieM_3

Are you expected to wear formal wear to this do?

What attempts were made (if any) at justifying the decision to hire suits for the men, but not to hire frocks for the ladies? It looks like a clear case of providing 'perks' for men only - could it even be seen as a taxable benefit in the same way as a company car or mobile? Are there any other women who share your anger at this? What do the men think about it?

What did HR say?

sportbeth

I investigated dress hire but the manager concerned said it was unnecessary and too expensive. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: Hence the fact that I've gone down the cheap dress route to try and be reasonable and claim the expense back.

It's doubley annoying because I am expected to network at this event to aid my job and if I don't go the men get the business advantage.

HR have said they are going to speak with the manager concerned but I've heard nothing yet and the event is tomorrow night

sportbeth

AnnieM wrote: »

Are you expected to wear formal wear to this do?

What attempts were made (if any) at justifying the decision to hire suits for the men, but not to hire frocks for the ladies? It looks like a clear case of providing 'perks' for men only - could it even be seen as a taxable benefit in the same way as a company car or mobile? Are there any other women who share your anger at this? What do the men think about it?

What did HR say?

Sorry AnnieM - yes the dress code is black tie for the men so that does leave you with very little flexibility as a woman. i honestly don't have any dresses in my wardrobe!

I did ask if I could hire a Tux if that was his attitude and he said "don't be ridiculous you're a woman" I responded "But if i had a penis you'd hire me one?"

lowis

tell him you have a penis - you just happen to work for it

AnnieM_3

sportbeth wrote: »

Sorry AnnieM - yes the dress code is black tie for the men so that does leave you with very little flexibility as a woman. i honestly don't have any dresses in my wardrobe!

I did ask if I could hire a Tux if that was his attitude and he said "don't be ridiculous you're a woman" I responded "But if i had a penis you'd hire me one?"

He sounds like a complete sexist pig! I hope HR rip him to shreds! He deserves a formal warning for that.

I think you should get in touch with HR again (I hope you told them exactly what he said to you), and make sure they are dealing with this. If this manager treats women like this over a simple thing like dress hire, how does he treat them when it comes to promotions/flexible working/hiring etc.?

You should also put something in writing (email and hard copy) and keep copies - make sure you stress you have no problem with the men getting suits hired, but that you only want the same treatment.

The only problem you could have is that if no dress code was specified for women (read the info v carefully - if it only says 'black-tie for the men', not 'black tie') that may be a loophole he can wriggle through.

Good luck!

skintchick

And look for another job - he sounds like a total idiot.

sportbeth

AnnieM wrote: »

He sounds like a complete sexist pig! I hope HR rip him to shreds! He deserves a formal warning for that.

I think you should get in touch with HR again (I hope you told them exactly what he said to you), and make sure they are dealing with this. If this manager treats women like this over a simple thing like dress hire, how does he treat them when it comes to promotions/flexible working/hiring etc.?

You should also put something in writing (email and hard copy) and keep copies - make sure you stress you have no problem with the men getting suits hired, but that you only want the same treatment.

The only problem you could have is that if no dress code was specified for women (read the info v carefully - if it only says 'black-tie for the men', not 'black tie') that may be a loophole he can wriggle through.

Good luck!

I quote from his e-mail this morning "
DRESS
Black tie for Gents (this has already been arranged - if not please see *****)
Elegant ballgowns for the Ladies!!

If you require any further information please don't hesistate to contact me"