METRO VANCOUVER — A Metro Vancouver woman has launched a complaint with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal saying she was required to dress in a sexy fashion that resulted in harassment from customers.
Karolina Bil was hired as a bartender in December by the Shark Club at the Sandman Hotel in Richmond where she claims she was discriminated against because she was unfairly made to wear tops that revealed cleavage, mini-skirts and high heels.
She also alleges she was asked to ensure her hair and makeup were done with "class and sex appeal." She claims when she wore her hair up, her manager asked her take it down.
Bil told the tribunal that she was too afraid to discuss the uniform issue with the trainers she described as all having bleached blond hair.
The Shark Club denies it discriminated and says that it has in place policies and procedures that are explained in its training manual. The restaurant filed an application asking the tribunal to dismiss Bil’s complaint.
The restaurant chain also says Bill never raised any issues with it or told anyone that she was experiencing discrimination or harassment at work.
Jim Weidinger, director of operations for the Shark Club, said staff members are not forced to wear anything they are uncomfortable in. He admits there is a dress code which include a "form-fitting top and a form-fitting skirt," but says it is within wardrobe standards in the industry.
He called the restaurant’s uniform "intelligent sex appeal" which he described as attire considered sexy within the social norms but not "going over the top."
"The clothes are all available at any local fashion or athletic shop," he said. "Our spec also includes form-fitting dress shirts and pants for males."
The restaurant has an employee hotline to the president of the company for any complaints or concerns, he added.
Tribunal member Heather MacNaughton found that if Bil’s allegation of sexually-based dress code requirements is proven it could amount to sex discrimination.
She dismissed the Shark Club’s challenge. No date has been set to hear Bil’s complaint.
ticrawford@vancouversun.com
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