Perth bar backtracks after forcing female staff to wear low-cut tops instead of men’s shirts

Author : mamun Published: January 21, 2019

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Updated

January 22, 2019 07:40:35

Photo:
A disgruntled staff member posted a photo on social media comparing the two shirts. (Supplied)

A Perth bar that instructed female staff members to stop wearing men’s loose uniform shirts in favour of a tighter, lower cut designed for women has backed down from the decision after it sparked a backlash.

Key points:

• The manager said the change was made for occupational health and safety reasons
• He said the venue had consulted with a number of employees over the attire
• But one former female employee denied claims that any consultation had taken place

Amplifier Bar in the city’s CBD said it was trying to lift uniform standards when it told female staffers on a Facebook group it would be taking back the men’s shirts it had previously issued and replacing them with the alternative.

But some female staff members were upset about being asked to wear a shirt with a much lower neckline.

In the social media post, manager David Heaton told staff the new shirt was a condition of employment, and if they did not feel comfortable with it, they were welcome to find work elsewhere.

Mr Heaton told the ABC the uniform change was made for occupational health and safety reasons.

Infographic:
The Facebook message David Heaton sent to staff members.

“We need to ensure the health and safety of our employees,” he said.

“Baggy shirts catch on things and could cause injury in the workplace.”

Mr Heaton said the original policy had been in place since 2017, but was only recently enforced.

He said the venue had consulted with a number of employees over the attire, and it was decided the “scoop-neck style” would be appropriate for women.

One former female employee denied the claims that any consultation had taken place.

She said staff were only informed of the change via the Facebook post, and many of the women were extremely unhappy with the move.

She said concerns were raised with management, but were ignored.

Mr Heaton said female staff members would now be given the choice of shirts.

“We will in future, ensure that employees can choose to wear two styles of shirts, provided that those shirts can’t catch on things,” he said.

He said no-one had been fired over the incident.

Topics:

women,

occupational-health-and-safety,

community-and-society,

perth-6000

First posted

January 22, 2019 05:52:45

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