Bricklayers Find Clever and Funny Way Round ‘No Shorts’ Ruling

ADVERTISEMENT

The weather has been pretty hot up and down the country in the UK in recent months it’s fair to say. In actual fact, pretty hot is putting it lightly to say the very least. Anyone that works outside would probably appreciate how some brickies felt when their boss told them not to wear shorts at work, even though it was a whopping 26 degrees Celsius. What would you do if you were told the same? In a hilarious twist, perhaps you should take a leaf out of those brickies books..

The brickies were told they were not permitted to wear shorts, even in weather so hot that it was uncomfortable for them to work in jeans and other work trousers. The brickies, who were based at a construction site in the town of Chertsey in Surrey, almost contemplated looking for other work until they found a way around the ruling with a truly ingenious, and let’s face it, funny move.

Brickies Find An Ingenious Loophole to the Ruling

Proving that there is more to brickies than meets the eye, they discovered a way round, what they saw as unfair rules, by using the gender equality regulations to their benefit. How did they do it?

The clever chaps turned up to work wearing a stunning array of women’s summer frocks and dresses. As well as using the gender equality regulations, they also took inspiration from stories involving schoolboys who have done similar at their school, where similar rules have been upheld about wearing shorts.

The fellas, who were working at Bellway Homes construction site, turned up wearing an assortment of dresses and skirts. Simon Miles wore a denim skirt belonging to his wife, stating that he was going to find another job and that many of his colleagues were really finding it uncomfortable and difficult to work in jeans. That was until he and the rest of his workmates realised that as there were female employees that worked in the office on site who obviously wore skirts and dresses, that they couldn’t possibly do anything if the brickies did the same.

Bricklayers Loved Their Skirts and Dresses

Adam Houdoire, one of Miles’ colleagues opted for a budget option of a supermarket £10 dress. Houdoire curiously said something we never thought a bricklayer would say about woman’s clothing – that he loved it and felt that it gave him a lot more freedom to work more comfortably than he would have been able to in jeans or other forms of trousers.

In a strange reversal of roles, Miles also noted that he had been wolf-whistled by a man, suggesting that he had never experienced that before.  Joking aside, we feel that this funny little tale gives insight to a more serious issue. If bricklayers and other construction site employees have to work in hot climates and we want them to do the best work they can, does it not make sense to allow some leeway with regards to the health and safety regulations.

ADVERTISEMENT

Most popular ↑

Hull scaffolding firm saved after difficult trading period

A Hull-based scaffolding firm has been saved after The...

PHD Access plays key role in latest HMS Victory conservation phase

PHD Access is playing a central role in the...

Trade earnings lag inflation as site activity slows

Average weekly earnings for self-employed construction trades rose by...

ScaffCycle relaunches used scaffolding marketplace

ScaffCycle has relaunched its online marketplace for used scaffolding...

Australian scaffolding body warns Kwikform collapse exposes subcontractor risks

Australia’s scaffolding trade body has said the voluntary administration...

Latest news

Bricklayers Find Clever and Funny Way Round ‘No Shorts’ Ruling

ADVERTISEMENT

The weather has been pretty hot up and down the country in the UK in recent months it’s fair to say. In actual fact, pretty hot is putting it lightly to say the very least. Anyone that works outside would probably appreciate how some brickies felt when their boss told them not to wear shorts at work, even though it was a whopping 26 degrees Celsius. What would you do if you were told the same? In a hilarious twist, perhaps you should take a leaf out of those brickies books..

The brickies were told they were not permitted to wear shorts, even in weather so hot that it was uncomfortable for them to work in jeans and other work trousers. The brickies, who were based at a construction site in the town of Chertsey in Surrey, almost contemplated looking for other work until they found a way around the ruling with a truly ingenious, and let’s face it, funny move.

Brickies Find An Ingenious Loophole to the Ruling

Proving that there is more to brickies than meets the eye, they discovered a way round, what they saw as unfair rules, by using the gender equality regulations to their benefit. How did they do it?

The clever chaps turned up to work wearing a stunning array of women’s summer frocks and dresses. As well as using the gender equality regulations, they also took inspiration from stories involving schoolboys who have done similar at their school, where similar rules have been upheld about wearing shorts.

The fellas, who were working at Bellway Homes construction site, turned up wearing an assortment of dresses and skirts. Simon Miles wore a denim skirt belonging to his wife, stating that he was going to find another job and that many of his colleagues were really finding it uncomfortable and difficult to work in jeans. That was until he and the rest of his workmates realised that as there were female employees that worked in the office on site who obviously wore skirts and dresses, that they couldn’t possibly do anything if the brickies did the same.

Bricklayers Loved Their Skirts and Dresses

Adam Houdoire, one of Miles’ colleagues opted for a budget option of a supermarket £10 dress. Houdoire curiously said something we never thought a bricklayer would say about woman’s clothing – that he loved it and felt that it gave him a lot more freedom to work more comfortably than he would have been able to in jeans or other forms of trousers.

In a strange reversal of roles, Miles also noted that he had been wolf-whistled by a man, suggesting that he had never experienced that before.  Joking aside, we feel that this funny little tale gives insight to a more serious issue. If bricklayers and other construction site employees have to work in hot climates and we want them to do the best work they can, does it not make sense to allow some leeway with regards to the health and safety regulations.

Popular Categories

Latest posts

CSCS Smart Check upgrade to improve workforce skills data

CSCS has upgraded its Smart Check platform to collect more detailed data from construction sites, in a move aimed at improving workforce planning and...

Scaffolder running length of Britain for children’s cancer charity

A Portsmouth scaffolder has begun an 860-mile charity run from John O’Groats to Land’s End to raise money for families affected by neuroblastoma. Charlie Chandler,...

Global access sector marks first industry awareness day

The scaffolding and access industry is today marking the first International Scaffolding and Access Day. The new annual event, launched by the International Access and...

Trade earnings lag inflation as site activity slows

Average weekly earnings for self-employed construction trades rose by just 2.3% year on year in April, as demand for skilled labour slowed across England...

Hull scaffolding firm saved after difficult trading period

A Hull-based scaffolding firm has been saved after The Yorkshire Maintenance Co stepped in to secure the future of the business and its 22...

PHD Access plays key role in latest HMS Victory conservation phase

PHD Access is playing a central role in the latest phase of the HMS Victory conservation programme at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, delivering the specialist...

ScaffCycle relaunches used scaffolding marketplace

ScaffCycle has relaunched its online marketplace for used scaffolding after rebuilding the platform to make it easier for contractors, scaffolders and suppliers to buy,...

ScaffChamp 2026 confirms global live stream details

ScaffChamp powered by Layher 2026 will once again be broadcast live to the global scaffolding community. The official live stream will begin on 6 June...

Australian scaffolding body warns Kwikform collapse exposes subcontractor risks

Australia’s scaffolding trade body has said the voluntary administration of the Kwikform group highlights wider concerns over subcontractor exposure and payment risk across the...

HAKI CEO Sverker Lindberg to step down by 2027

HAKI Safety has confirmed that its President and CEO, Sverker Lindberg, will leave his position no later than April 2027. The company said Lindberg has...

Spring Issue #29 | Past issues >>

Latest topics

Most popular ⚡︎

Hull scaffolding firm saved after difficult trading period

A Hull-based scaffolding firm has been saved after The...

PHD Access plays key role in latest HMS Victory conservation phase

PHD Access is playing a central role in the...

Trade earnings lag inflation as site activity slows

Average weekly earnings for self-employed construction trades rose by...

ScaffCycle relaunches used scaffolding marketplace

ScaffCycle has relaunched its online marketplace for used scaffolding...

Australian scaffolding body warns Kwikform collapse exposes subcontractor risks

Australia’s scaffolding trade body has said the voluntary administration...

Related articles

ADVERTISEMENTS
More from
Latest articles

CITB apprenticeship support rises by 43% in latest year

CITB’s New Entrant Support Team helped 5,913 apprentices join the construction industry during the...

CSCS Smart Check upgrade to improve workforce skills data

CSCS has upgraded its Smart Check platform to collect more detailed data from construction...

Scaffolder running length of Britain for children’s cancer charity

A Portsmouth scaffolder has begun an 860-mile charity run from John O’Groats to Land’s...

Global access sector marks first industry awareness day

The scaffolding and access industry is today marking the first International Scaffolding and Access...

Trade earnings lag inflation as site activity slows

Average weekly earnings for self-employed construction trades rose by just 2.3% year on year...

Hull scaffolding firm saved after difficult trading period

A Hull-based scaffolding firm has been saved after The Yorkshire Maintenance Co stepped in...