Article content continued

“Upon conclusion of our interviews, we stand by the original decision that confirms that Ms. Vecchio was dressed inconsistently with our code of conduct,” Whittal said. “Although our staff were professional and discreet in their approach, and followed our process of not asking a member to leave or conclude a workout, she and her husband chose to escalate the matter publicly.”

If tank tops are not allowed at the gym for me because of my chest size than all women should not be allowed to wear tank tops regardless of size

While the majority of Facebook commenters rallied behind Vecchio, one woman, who said she was trying out the gym last weekend while Vecchio was working out, supported Movati’s decision.

“The picture she is posting is not how it was,” Melissa Jane wrote, adding that the tank top revealed more cleavage.

Vecchio maintains that she was dressed no differently than other women.

“If tank tops are not allowed at the gym for me because of my chest size than all women should not be allowed to wear tank tops regardless of size,” Vecchio wrote. “This is dress code discrimination. Different figures does not mean different rules.”

One of Vecchio’s Facebook friends suggested that she should file a formal complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Jennifer Ramsay, the communications and external relations co-ordinator at the Human Rights Legal Support Centre, said it is hard to say whether Vecchio has a case without knowing the full details of what transpired at the gym.

“The specific facts are really important,” she said, adding that even if a policy does not violate the Human Rights Code, the way it was implemented could.

But, she added, in general, “women are pretty sick of being told to take off their hijab or put on a sweater.”