Overheated men and boys in the UK and Europe are defying dress codes requiring trousers by wearing skirts.
Bus drivers in Nantes got round the no-shorts-to-work policy by wearing skirts. Photo: Screengrab / Presse Ocean / YouTube
Bus drivers in France are among those who have been struggling with soaring temperatures.
After finding it too hot to work in full-length leg wear, a group of male drivers - members of the CFDT Semitan Union in Nantes - got around their no-shorts-to-work policy by wearing skirts.
The drivers told the local Presse Ocean news site that they envied women, who were able to wear skirts in the heat wave, and the video of their story has been viewed more than 160,000 times in two days.
Union member Gabriel Magner said: "When it's 50°C behind the windscreen all day, those are work conditions which are not acceptable.
"What we want is for the company to do something about it so when it gets like this a heat regulation can come into force when the temperature reaches a certain level, to allow drivers to wear Bermuda shorts, for example."
No shorts allowed
It's not the only bare-legged protest over the last few days. Record high June temperatures in the UK also prompted boys at one school in Exeter to wear skirts in a protest over the school's uniform policy.
Boys at one school in Exeter also opted for skirts. Photo: Screengrab / BBC News
The pupils from ISCA Academy in Exeter asked permission to modify their uniform because of the hot weather.
One of the boys who took part in the protest said: "We're not allowed to wear shorts, and I'm not sitting in trousers all day, it's a bit hot."
In Buckinghamshire, Joey Barge, a call centre worker, was sent home from work because his blue shorts did not meet the company's dress code.
If women can wear skirts/dresses at work can I wear smart shorts like so? pic.twitter.com/UD0AQ6ZCbP
— joey (@jBarge_) June 19, 2017
In protest Mr Barge changed into a pink and black dress and his tweets documenting the episode were re-tweeted thousands of times.
Most responders were encouraging, applauding him for the unique way he brought attention to the no-shorts policy, while others shared their own stories of workplace dress rules.
One Twitter user posted: "I was once reprehended by my boss 4wearing a lavender skirt (4its color) I pointed out my male coworker had shirt same exact tone so I get u."
Mr Barge's employers have since relaxed the rules on work attire.
Now Mr Barge may wear three-quarter-length shorts, but only in black, navy or beige.
- BBC
