Is this sex discrimination?

naturally_2

Oh for goodness sake, what a numpty boss!! Of course it is discrimination, and you have every right to raise a stink. If that gets you nowhere then raise a formal grievance - they don't have a leg to stand on, and its not like you're demanding £1,000 for an outfit.

Even though I thnk it is still selling yourself short, finsd out how much they paid for the tux hire - I see no reason why you shouldn't get at least that amount.

Good luck.

Sian_the_Green

I wonder if this could help?

Seems they can require you to wear a dress and them a tux but they must be equal requirements e.g. provide neither or both with rented clothes

Spirit_2

It is discriminatory, and the chap sounds a bit out of touch, but my advice is stay focused on the financial equality and do not get bogged down in 'he is a chauvinist' dogma. Ask your HR folk, you should be entitled to have an equivalent sum (to the hire) re-imbursed to you. Be prepared to offer up the dress after the event if it costs less.

If you work for a large organisation, this will be OK, HR will be used to the 'odd' manager, in a smaller organisation, it is often better to go with the flow.

If this is a one off - you might want to live with it, if this is a regular requirement then you need to get clarity about you all being treated the same. Bear in mind this could mean that you still need to dress up, but the men pay for their own black tie. If you have the kind of job that involves some public/customer relations then attending a 'do' is often a normal expectation, so for your sanity it may be best to adopt an approach that helps you enjoy this aspect of your job.

Errata

Much as I agree with Spirit, setting aside the sex inequality part the difficulty is in setting a precedent. Corporate gig at the Derby would need 'appropriate dress', as would Henley, day's shooting (dinosaurs for this firm probably), etc.

What would I do ? Beg, borrow or steal an 'elegant ballgown' whilst taking it up with HR. If no frock can be found - most bosses wouldn't know an 'elegant ballgown' from a £20 Primark, Asda or Matalan special !
Especially the boss in this company who employs men who don't possess a DJ !

skintchick

But they are sewtting a precendent in that they are happy to discriminate by hiring DJs for the men but not equivalent for the women.

It's not that the company would end up paying for clothing for all events, just that of they provide it for men they have to provide it for women.

sportbeth

skintchick wrote: »

But they are sewtting a precendent in that they are happy to discriminate by hiring DJs for the men but not equivalent for the women.

It's not that the company would end up paying for clothing for all events, just that of they provide it for men they have to provide it for women.

That's my point exactly. I'm not normally one to play the female card as I work in a very male dominated business with a female MD, but I just don't see why I should be singled out to pay out of my own pocket when other colleagues don't have to do the same.

Whatever benefits are afforded to one party have to be fairly afforded to the other party. In reality I could afford to buy a dress, but i don't see why I should be singled out and why I should have to for something I wouldn't be doing if I wasn't being told to by the company.

Have just had an e-mail from him telling me he wants to speak to me before the end of the day..... this could be a moral victory, or ww3!

webitha

well what did he say???????

sportbeth

sorry, now he's summonsed me to a meeting and he's not there. humph. Will have to wait until tomorrow for the next thrilling installment I'm afraid.

MORPH3US

Come on sportbeth, give us the (hopefully good) news....

EDIT:

Whoops, cross post

brightonman123

i bet if OP went along in the buff, they'd soom find a dress / coat... lol:beer: