Better workwear for women call

Motion 44 on improving female-specific workwear standards, recognised that “women across various industries face significant challenges,” because of “the lack of the properly designed workwear that accommodates their specific needs.” And by wearing this inappropriate, impractical workwear their comfort and moreover their safety is compromised.

Serenity Baskett from the South West region moved the motion, saying, “We need to reduce the effects of wearing the wrong workwear on women’s safety and the long-term effects on the [physical] body.”

Jennifer Stephens a bus worker from the South West was becoming increasingly despairing at the level of misogyny in the workplace. Inappropriate workwear wasn’t helping resolve the problem.

She said, “Whoever designers the shirts they make women bus workers wear have no idea. They gape and it makes women feel embarrassed and vulnerable. How would you feel if it was your partner, mother of daughter?”

Kasha Malicka, also from the South West said the protective clothing she had been given to wear was anything but. “The workwear is uncomfortable, ill-fitting, offers no protection and whoever made it clearly has never seen a woman in their life!”

Tracy Whittle a painter and decorator from the South East, said, “I’m 5 foot one with a 27 inch inside leg. I can’t even wear knee pads as the knee pads end up on my shins!”

Julie Holmes, East Midlands said she was one of the first female firefighters in the region and recalled the tunic being down to her knees and being given boots two sizes two big. “We’ve come a long way since then,” she continued. “Now I’m with the government’s fire defence and they are still behind in this area. We really need this motion.”

Nadia Elliot a warehouse worker from the East Midlands, said “We can’t wear the trousers, the hi-vis vests – I look like a Michelin man in them. I’m 4 foot 11 so even ‘standard’ women’s workwear doesn’t work for me.”

The motion was carried.       

Unite has produced a Negotiators’ Guide to Women’s Health, Safety and Well-being at work which includes issues around PPE.   

By Amanda Campbell

Photos by Mark Thomas