Would you say this was sexist/unfair?

[QueenArseClangers]

So... at work we have a uniform that’s different but co-ordinates with the men’s one.
Most of the women wear a dress and jacket (although options include skirts/trousers/blouses). Blokes wear a 3 piece suit.
I’ve just discovered today that men get a ‘belt and sock allowance’. Us women do not get anything towards tights or even socks.

Am I correct in thinking that this is utter shite?

Yeah that makes no sense... surely socks are just underwear?!

Not an expert but it does sound like discrimination if men recieve a benefit that women do not recieve

Absolutely shite. Question is, will you do something about it?

Blatantly sexist.

‘Belt and sock allowance’ - WTF. Of all the things to pay for, your place of work chose belts and socks?!

That sounds like a hangover from a time when there were only male employees. Either way, it's totally unacceptable. You'd probably have a case for back pay.

Outrageous! And everyone knows tights ladder so quickly that women end up spending a lot more on hosiery.

I can see the argument for a belt allowance if the male uniform requires one but the female does not and both uniforms are otherwise provided but there really is no need for socks to be provided for either gender.

I’ve already fired off an email when I was told this this afternoon (asking for clarification of course )
Can’t access my work emails until tomorrow but I’m not going to let it go!

Interestingly, there are two threads on AIBU tonight that both ask if something is sexist.

In both cases it's about money and in both cases it's small amounts.

In one case men benefit and in the other women benefit.

Guess which one say is not an issue and which one is an issue?

Funny that...

Hmmm wondering why this thread got a different answer to mine.... I'll link.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3480228-Is-this-sexism-and-can-i-complain

If you wish to complain then the equality advice service may be of help. www.equalityadvisoryservice.com

Because most woman only care about sexism when it negatively effects them and for some reason sexism only matters if it negatively effects woman.

I have seen post advertising blainent sexism (A soft play place that banned males over the age of 7 from the premises was seen as a good policy in case of religious reasons why males cannot use said facility) Yet when another soft play introduced a no female policy their was outrage saying it was a sexist outrage. (google it was in Birmingham).

Wow that's shocking.

I always laugh at the men saying women are out for us and reducing our rights, but i can see in some cases where they're coming from if a policy is ok against them but not us

I think both are sexist, but until you posted the link hadn't seen the other thread.

A belt and sock allowance is just plain weird, though. If you're in a situation where office wear is expected, I can't imagine why on earth anyone gets part of that subsidised by work.

I used to work at a place where my pay included an extra £1 for every saturday worked. It dated back years from when they introduced saturday hours and paying for employees bus tickets was part of the agreement.. this smells similar

Hmmm wondering why this thread got a different answer to mine.... I'll link.

Because they are different issues. One is terms of employment, which should be equal for both sexes to be fair, both do the same job and should be paid the same/ get the same perks. The other is talking about price discrimination for club entry- men are more likely to go to a club with more women so derive greater utility from a club with more women in it than less, woman are generally not so interested in the number of men, this it makes sense for men to pay more than woman. Price discrimination is a pretty generally accepted economic concept and in this instance benefits both the men (get club with more women) and (get lower price).

I may only be a small amount but it’s the principle. Someone in authority must know that men are getting x amount a year and women aren’t. It’s just wrong so I’m glad you’re going to bring this to someone’s attention.

Anyone of EITHER sex who is required to wear a uniform for work is entitled to tax relief on that clothing.
I believe you can claim back 5 years, I believe.
I am a male nurse, my female colleagues and I always make this claim.
If you don't claim you won't get it, so don't gripe.

There is actually nothing for women to complain about, you are entitled to a clothing allowance tax rebate if you have to buy particular clothing, and an allowance if you are required to buy a uniform.
No wonder men get impatient with women- strewth- do you want men to do your tax returns?

moby
You’ve not understood the situation, but don’t worry there are plenty of wemen here to help you.

It’s nothing to do with tax returns. It’s to do with the OP’s company giving an allowance to men and not women. Tax returns are an entirely different thing.

Its a sockist shower of shite.

Also how many belts could you possibly wear at once wear out in one year

Yep this is bullshit! Really unfair. Good for you challenging it!

There's a massive difference between a work allowance and an entry fee to a nightclub. You'd have to be pretty obtuse not to realise that.