A
male employee is taking his organisation to court today, claiming to be a
victim of sexual discrimination because he has to wear a shirt and tie to work.
Matthew
Thompson, an administration worker at a Stockport Jobcentre, is alleging sexual
discrimination by his employer, the Department for Work and Pensions.
The
dress code was introduced last year despite the fact Thompson does not come in
to contact with the public.
Under
the code, only men are required to wear specific items of clothing, need
management permission to remove clothing in hot weather and face disciplinary
action for not complying. Failure to comply with the code could result in
dismissal.
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Thompson
said: "Women are allowed to wear T-shirts and are not required to wear any
specified items of clothing."