Office worker challenges Government over collar-and-tie rule

Men in offices across the land frequently complain that they have to wear a collar and tie while their female colleagues can dress more or less in whatever style they like.

White-collar male employees everywhere might have a hero from today when Matthew Thompson, an administration worker at a Jobcentre in Stockport, Greater Manchester, takes the Government to court, alleging sex discrimination.

Mr Thompson, supported by the Public and Commercial Services Union, will argue at an employment tribunal that the Department for Work and Pensions is being sexist in forcing him to wear a shirt and tie.

Even though he does not come into contact with the public, Mr Thompson has been ordered to adopt the uniform look since the introduction of a dress code for men last year. What's more, if he refuses to comply with the regulations, he risks losing his job. If he wins this test case, Mr Thompson's stand could become a big issue for the Government; the PCS union has at least another 40 cases ready to bring to a tribunal.

Under the compulsory dress code introduced to Jobcentre Plus, and the benefits and employment service, only men are required to wear specified items of clothing. Only men are required to have prior management permission to remove an item of clothing in hot weather. And only men are threatened with disciplinary action up to and including dismissal for not wearing an item of clothing or removing it without management permission.

Mr Thompson said: "I seldom come into contact with the public. My duties are post sorting, distributing computer print-outs, photocopying and issuing documents internally and through the post to customers. Women are allowed to wear T-shirts and aren't required to wear any specified items of clothing."