If Nigel Tufnel were a real person, instead of the lead guitarist in Spinal Tap, he'd feel quite at home working in a garage as a car mechanic. Spending this week on audit at a large Peugeot franchise has made a change from the rarefied atmosphere of the office or other audits I've been on. It's made we wonder whether sexism, innuendo and smut are all alive and kicking away from what could be described as middle class, white collar, professions.
I know it still goes on in offices, it does in ours to a certain degree, but not as blatantly and obviously as it does in other walks of life. It would be easy to blame it on the heat, at one point on Wednesday the temperature reached 41 degrees C in the parts department (that's the garage's not mine!) and everybody is looking for some light relief from the weather.
Sexy, what's wrong with being sexy?
Audit's are good for seeing how bureaucratic people can be when it comes to the company handbook and contracts of employment. Hidden amongst the usual suspects (no visible body piercings, no visible tattoos, no offensive slogans on t-shirts) are some gems such as: when entering the car park employees must not be travelling at more than 5 m.p.h (there is no mention of transport in this clause so slow down joggers), sickness must be reported to your line manager no later than 9 a.m on a normal work day except in the case of death and my all time favourite, male staff must refrain from wearing clothes which are designed specifically to be worn by women.
I love the use of the word refrain, if you do wear them at evenings and weekends fine, just refrain from doing so during the week - how British!
P.S If You aren't familiar with the Smell The Glove party scene from the classic "This is Spinal Tap", I'm afraid the title, first line and photograph of this piece will mean nothing to you.
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