Joey Barge, 20, came to work in a bright pink dress as a 'protest' at the firm's dress code

A defiant call centre worker who was sent home for wearing shorts to the office in this week's heatwave came back wearing a bright pink dress as a 'protest' against the dress code.

Joey Barge, 20, from Buckinghamshire, turned up in a pair of smart blue shorts on but bosses deemed them inappropriate despite the sweltering heat.

They sent him home just minutes after he posted on Twitter asking his followers: 'If women can wear skirts/dresses at work can I wear smart shorts like so?'

But rather than changing into a stuffy suit, the call centre worker decided to don a bright pink dress as a 'protest' against the rules.

Predicting that he'd be sent home again, Joey posted a chic selfie to Twitter, racking up dozens of likes and retweets.

Instead his act of defiance sparked a change in the rules - with bosses sending out an email allowing 'gentlemen in the office' to wear three-quarter length shorts in 'black, navy or beige only'.

Despite the u-turn - which Joey branded a 'partial win' - he opted to wear the colourful dress for the whole day in an act of defiance against the policy.

He said: 'I got sent home and told to change into appropriate clothing but it said females could wear dresses so hey ho!

'They said it was a bit too colourful and asked if I wanted to go home and change because they were letting us wear shorts because of my "protest" - but I said I was happy to stay.'

Joey posted a chic selfie taken while wearing the dress to Twitter, racking up dozens of likes and retweets

Call centre worker Joey posted this picture while wearing the dress at the office

One of his Twitter followers, Lewis Alexander Hunt, replied: 'Men should always be allowed to wear shorts like women can wear skirts and dresses... equality

Another added: 'Don't you know Joey, there is a double standard with things like this?'

One user commented: 'They sent you home? You aren't customer facing and it was still a smart outfit.'

It comes after firms were told that workers struggling in the sweltering heat should be given the option of ditching their suits for shorts and flip-flops.

Unions are also calling for a new law forcing employers to send home workers if the mercury hits 86F (30C) - or 80F for those doing strenuous work.

He had posted on Twitter asking his followers: 'If women can wear skirts/dresses at work can I wear smart shorts like so?'

Minutes later he found out the answer after arriving at work: 'Nope'

The TUC also wants employers to implement cooling measures when a workplace temperature reaches 24C.

The organisation said that companies should supply workers with cool drinks and allow them to take regular breaks.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: 'While many of us will welcome the sunshine and warm temperatures this week, working in sweltering conditions can be unbearable and dangerous.

'Employers can give their staff a break by relaxing dress code rules temporarily and ensuring staff doing outside work are protected.

'Obviously shorts and flip flops won't be the right attire for all workers, but no-one should be made to suffer unnecessarily in the heat for the sake of appearances.'

Joey posted this picture while on his way back to work where he expected to be sent home again for his dress stunt

Joey's act of defiance sparked a change in the rules - with bosses sending out an email allowing 'gentlemen in the office' to wear three-quarter length shorts in 'black, navy or beige'

The EU yesterday revealed that officials in Brussels could go home early if they get too hot despite tough Brexit negotiations kicking off.

Eurocrats have been told they can leave if office temperatures hit 86F.

In a notice circulated to staff and posted online today, the EU's HR departments also advises staff to turn the lights off to keep cool.

And they suggest employees should ditch their suits and ties and opt for loose-fitting clothes to cope with the heatwave.

The circular points out that staff should open windows, drink lots of water and 'not to drink alcohol' during the hot weather.

They also suggest Eurocrats should not indulge in a lavish lunches and instead opt to 'eat light meals' while the mercury is soaring.