Asked not to wear a Rolex to work…

I did think that. If she's raised it will because it's being talked about

I dont think Ive ever noticed what watch someone is wearing, or what the brand is, how would I know.

And there are lots of different types of Rolex watches surely, many of which will have been given as gifts, handed down etc

Who cares

I do agree OP that you need t nip this in the bud

And shame on MN for deleting that post which made the joke redundant, very very good

I’ve only ever worked in charity/ public sector but I think this is nuts. No one else’s business tbh. Are people supposed to start lying about where they went on holiday??

What if it's the only watch you have? Surely it's even worse having been wearing the same one for decades, to turn up in a new watch during redundancies, even if it's cheaper than a Rolex

This

I would guess she has raised it as it has been commented on. Be a bit more classy.

I really want to know what the original comment was!!!

Thanks OP for reminding me why I'm self employed.
Couldn't be doing with that nonsense.

Maybe stop wearing the watch but see if you can borrow or rent a supercar for the day and park it next to hers!

Well, it sounds like she handled it badly, but I completely understand the sentiment. In the context of redundancies and pay freezes I would agree it's insensitive to wear clearly very expensive items. You can start wearing it again when the dust has settled.

Can someone please write the original quote which got deleted. I know it will be deleted again but I need to see what everyone’s laughing about!

I disagree with @Magnastorm. In redundancy their car and suit, if they've worn them for years makes no difference. Only the lunches should've stopped temporarily.

Bizarre.

I kind of get their point (or the point that they rather cackhandedly attempted to make) but I still think it’s ludicrous. For a start, I wouldn’t call a Rolex “flashy”, I’d call it classy, or classic. Secondly, wearing a Rolex does NOT determine wealth, lots of people save for years or they were gifted as a milestone birthday present (or could even have been inherited) Thirdly, you shouldn’t have to watch what you wear because of redundancies. What do they think would be appropriate? Sell your Rolex and fill in their financial black hole with the proceeds?
Have they all started driving bangers to work? Removed their engagement rings if it’s any bigger than 1/4 carat?? Where does it end?
If you hadn’t been put on the spot you probably would have stood your ground

Apologies. Mean to say male colleagues

Sorry not a ridiculous post - a ridiculous ask from the manager I meant!

What a ridiculous post.

Maybe someone has family money, a partner with money, other income sources or sold a successful business prior to starting the specific role.

Not allowed to carry a bag to work which cost more than a grand or two?

The attitude at work is like the current Labour govenrment - everyone must bring themselves down to the lowest common denominator to appease others.

Crazy

Honestly I'd have told her no - I wear mine to work all the time, I'm not personally representing the companies finances.

If people have noticed it, they'll already be aware you have a Rolex. I'm not sure if she thinks your colleagues are stupid enough to think that Sandra in accounts getting made redundant was because you have a Rolex?! 😂

Turn up barefoot and dressed in rags.

It might not be that she spotted it - it's possible people have been griping about it.

I think the context of redundancies, frozen pay and cut bonuses is quite important. Especially if OP is delivering those messages to her team.

I too can't believe this. What about expensive jewellery? Make women take off their engagement rings. I have 3 platinum rings - engagement,wedding,eternity. Would that bother her. I can't believe you backed down.

I think you should just continue to wear it. I would.

If she brings it up again I'd tell her that it was none of her business, it's an elderly Rolex, you've worn it without issues for many years and see no reason to stop now.

Fuck, what next? Shoes over a certain value? Hell would freeze over before I stopped wearing my watch in those circumstances

It's not the OPs fault that the business is making redundancies. It's a fact of life that certain jobs are very well paid - not wearing her watch to work, doesn't change that fundamental fact! Does your new boss think that the staff are stupid and what they don't see won't hurt them?

If the company is so worried about the optics of their behaviour, the best place to start is with wage increases, minimal redundancies and good payments to those who are losing their jobs. The Rolex is neither here nor there.

Hope your new boss doesn't rock up to work in an expensive car. And as pp have said, what's next, engagement rings? I'd certainly be noting tomorrow what watches and cars the other senior staff are turning up in.

I think this is something I would bite back on - it's inappropriate for her to have asked you this and I'd be taking it up with HR. If there's no formal dress policy in your contract, outlining the specifics, I'd say she was seriously overstepping and I'd be dealing with this formally.

What about big colleagues?