Swedish Train Drivers to wear Skirts

[whole diary]

[thetrout]

Couldn't make this up!

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

[Chris from Nailsea]

I rather think thetrout meant to link to this story from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Sweden male train drivers wear skirts after shorts row


Martin Akersten says his colleagues came up with the idea in winter

A dozen male train drivers in Sweden have circumvented a ban on shorts by wearing skirts to work in hot weather.

The workers, who operate the Roslagsbanan line north of the capital Stockholm, have been wearing skirts to work for the past two weeks.

Employer Arriva banned the drivers from wearing shorts after taking over the running of the line in January. But the company has given the men its blessing to wear skirts, according to local newspaper Mitti.

"Our thinking is that one should look decent and proper when representing Arriva and the present uniforms do that. If the man only wants [to wear] a skirt then that is OK," Arriva communications manager Tomas Hedenius told the paper. "To tell them to do something else would be discrimination."

Driver Martin Akersten told the BBC he and his colleagues came up with the idea to wear skirts after they were informed of the new company dress code in the winter. "We have always said that when summer comes, we will get some skirts and wear them. It's very warm weather here so we would like to wear shorts but if we can't then we have skirts for comfort".

The male drivers have chosen only to wear skirts on hot days, opting for trousers in cooler conditions.

"The passengers stare at us but so far no-one has said anything - well, not to me, anyway. And I don't mind as it's more about comfort," Mr Akersten adds.

[chuffed]

I really cannot be bothered to know what my train driver is, or isn't (this is Sweden the home of naturism after all!) wearing, just as long as he is comfortable. Also that, his choice of  light flowing chiffon, or lack of any clothes at all, doesn't interfere with the operation of, or his control of the train!.

Will NSE^▸ (Network South East) come to mean in future years, No Shorts Excepted or Now Skirts Expected ??

[argg]

I do think the black socks and shoes are rather fetching!

This does pose an interesting discrimination question.  Take most offices where the dress code (no pun intended) is smart business.  Guys will be wearing suits and women either skirts/dresses or trousers - you know the score

Assuming we get one of those really hot summers (remember them?) - can guys wear shorts?  I doubt it (this isn't Bermuda).  Given their female colleagues have the option to wear a skirt/dress, could an emplyer deny the men the same option?

Just needs a few to start the trend - who's first? the rest of us will be right behind you.

[bobm]

Royal Mail postmen seem to wear shorts in the depth of winter in my experience! 

[BerkshireBugsy]

I really cannot be bothered to know what my train driver is, or isn't (this is Sweden the home of naturism after all!) wearing, just as long as he is comfortable. Also that, his choice of  light flowing chiffon, or lack of any clothes at all, doesn't interfere with the operation of, or his control of the train!.

Will NSE^▸ (Network South East) come to mean in future years, No Shorts Excepted or Now Skirts Expected ??

Chuffed, I would have agreed with you if it hadn't been for my XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) journey from reading to Sheffield today (the service that goes on to Newcastle )

Not far from Sheffield we came to a halt as there was a points failure up ahead. This meant the driver had to walk from one end of the voyager to the other to reverse it and then back the other way.

I think if I had seen the driver in an HVJ and skirt combo I would have disturbed me.

By the way just to remove any confusion the driver was a male!

Dave