Ex-Honey Birdette employees accuse lingerie giant of exploitation, sexism

Former Honey Birdette shop assistants - who claim they had to wear stilettos for up to 12 hours a day - have demanded the company overhaul their uniform and safety policies.

Former Honey Birdette shop assistants have lashed the lingerie giant with accusations of exploitation and ­sexist working conditions ­requiring them to wear stilettos for up to 12 hours and wink at male customers.

A former shop assistant at the chain took to Instagram urging Honey Birdette to ­update its policies on “consent, uniform standards and safety” following news the lingerie chain was being taken over by the company behind Playboy in a deal worth $443m.

“Honey Birdette needs to be held accountable for ­exploiting workers, performative feminism, and continuing to perpetuate sexism,” the post said.

An extract from the Honey Birdette workplace handbook.

“Completely exploiting their workers, making them wear stilettos for 10 to 12 hour shifts and getting them to dress up as sex dolls in the name of sexual empow­erment.”

Testimonies from other workers posted to Instagram included a woman who said her feet were left bleeding after standing in heels all day, and another who alleges she was forced to wear stilettos despite having stress fractures in her feet.

Comments on the post claimed there was an expectation to behave in a provocative and seductive manner, which often led to unwelcome advances from customers.

An extract from the Honey Birdette workplace handbook.

One woman recalled being told to wink at male customers in order to make sales, and how on one occasion she was then followed around by a customer while on her lunch break. “Remember being told to wink at male customers to make sales? I had a guy follow me around on my lunch break and back to my store, monitoring my comings and goings.”

Another woman posted that she was reportedly told “sexual harassment is just part of the job”.

“I used to work for Honey Birdette and I can absolutely say there is truth to all of these claims. Their company culture is exploiting women and forcing them into uncomfortable situations without compassion or any support. I will never forget being told ‘sexual harassment is a part of the job’.”

An extract from the Honey Birdette workplace handbook.

An employee handbook, ­titled the “Little Black Book”, advised if customers became “rowdy” the employees should “diffuse the situation with ­humour”, and be discreet to avoid embarrassing the ­consumer.

“If someone is being inappropriate with the whips say, ‘No spanking in store you naughty thing’ or, if someone asks you a rude question ­regarding toys, reply ‘A lady never tells’,” the employee handbook advises.

The same handbook also encouraged shop assistants to use phrases such as “Sadistic Sweethearts” and “Spank me if I’m wrong’’, and to greet customers with the phrases “Come hither” and “Leave your ­inhibitions at the door”.

Career websites Indeed and Glassdoor are also ­flooded with one-star reviews of the retailer, citing a toxic work environment and harassment from customers.

One particularly damning review on Indeed claims: “If you’re not prepared to man­ipulate and seduce customers for their money, don’t bother applying.”

Honey Birdette was app­roached for comment.