Page 6 | My manager has banned all vests, skirts and shorts

itsjustthepricewepay · 2026-05-26T12:32:19+00:00

I could cry right now. I understand banning thin strapped vests but surely thick straps are fine? She’s also banned all shorts (including knee length) and skirts that sit at the knee. Basically we have to go down to ankle length trousers. AIBU to genuinely consider quitting my job? Her office is air conditioned but we’re in a horrible hot sun trap!

SleeplessInWherever · 27/05/2026 19:00

Washingupdone · 27/05/2026 18:40

Sorry, but when I was working we had to wear stockings or tights, blouses and knee length skirts in the 1976 heatwave and there was no air con in the prefab office I worked in.. HR did come round every so often to insist we drank the tap water they provided, there was no bottled water in those days.
Men also wore long sleeved shirts, short ones were not in fashion, thought sissy.

That’s all well and good, but it’s not 1976.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 27/05/2026 18:58

Words would definitely be had if someone wore that vest in my workplace, it does look particularly scruffy.

Maybe the manager isn't brave enough to speak to individuals about the way they're presenting themselves so has decided to go for a general clampdown to bring standards up to a reasonably professional level.

whoopsnomore · 27/05/2026 18:53

Unfortunately managers have to assume that everyone needs the guidance that in fact only a few staff members need - without clear guidelines some people will turn up in hotpants and strappy tops and flipflops. In many ways the majority "suffer" the consequences of the few who just don't get it. (FWIW loose light fabrics are cooler that jersey/t-shirt fabrics and tighter clothing - look at typical clothing in consistently hot countries)

Jayne35 · 27/05/2026 18:51

MmeDubois7 · 27/05/2026 18:23

No.perfume? That's a bit draconian. Do you work with patients?

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Some catering jobs say no perfume, and hospitality, can't stand waiting staff walking round in a cloud of perfume or aftershave.

Letty186 · 27/05/2026 18:50

Sounds harsh! I’m wearing this kind of thing at the moment, sleeveless, cool and smart (mine like the blue on is knee length not that short)

My manager has banned all vests, skirts and shorts

Momager12345 · 27/05/2026 18:48

Surely it's reasonable to go to work and not have to see anybody's armpits..or toes for that matter. And I would be complaining daily about anybody who wore perfume (especially as it is against the rules!)

Cyclingmummy1 · 27/05/2026 18:46

BIossomtoes · 27/05/2026 18:31

I do! ☺️

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Me too. I love the word. And frocks. I've bought one today 😆

Washingupdone · 27/05/2026 18:40

Sorry, but when I was working we had to wear stockings or tights, blouses and knee length skirts in the 1976 heatwave and there was no air con in the prefab office I worked in.. HR did come round every so often to insist we drank the tap water they provided, there was no bottled water in those days.
Men also wore long sleeved shirts, short ones were not in fashion, thought sissy.

Cob81 · 27/05/2026 18:37

Dannie1999 · 27/05/2026 18:07

Your workplace sounds awful and half the people here sound like snobs who don't care that you're trapped in a oven at work "I wouldn't wanna see that either " wah wah, no one cares if armpits scare you karen , let's see you overheat at work and see how long it takes YOU to want to wear something more breathable. Sorry for your shitty workplace , and half of these moronic takes. You should be allowed to wear whatever as long as it's moderately appropriate-and you don't even see the public !

You wrote my mind. Can you actually deal with the dung half these eejits are coming out with? They sound like they strive on structure and control, the education system worked very well on half this lot 😂 “I must obey…..I must obey” they love it lol

BIossomtoes · 27/05/2026 18:31

Cob81 · 27/05/2026 18:30

Nobody under the age of 80 uses the word frock for good reason 😂

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I do! ☺️

Cob81 · 27/05/2026 18:30

TorroFerney · 27/05/2026 18:26

Because it is another word for a dress? It's also a nice word to say I think. I also say hoist by ones own petard - I do not own a petard nor do I know anyone who has one. It's the joy of language.

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Nobody under the age of 80 uses the word frock for good reason 😂

TorroFerney · 27/05/2026 18:30

JennyBG · 27/05/2026 18:02

If you’re in the UK check the acas website. There are rules for weather apparel.

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Relaxing the dress code used to mean men could take off their ties where I work!

catlover123456789 · 27/05/2026 18:29

Its an unusual heatwave, rules should be relaxed.
If you aren't customer facing who really cares what you wear when its baking hot?
Your manager is being unreasonable, especially if she is luxuriating in her aircon office while you roast next door. She has a responsibility to ensure you are working in suitable conditions.

Cob81 · 27/05/2026 18:29

BridgetJonesV2 · 26/05/2026 13:36

Sorry but no one wants exposed arm pits out in this heat. I'm with her on that.

The hell you on about saying no one wants to see? Speak for yourself. Only Mrs Bucket types who think they’re above everyone else would have an issue with it. Most people have exposed armpits in this heat, that’s the only time you’d see it pretty much, what is the actual issue, Do you never go on holidays or even to the beach or pool and see exposed armpits? What an extremely weird thing to say.

OriginalSkang · 27/05/2026 18:28

TorroFerney · 27/05/2026 18:26

Because it is another word for a dress? It's also a nice word to say I think. I also say hoist by ones own petard - I do not own a petard nor do I know anyone who has one. It's the joy of language.

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A petard is a fart..

Joanneken · 27/05/2026 18:27

TorroFerney · 27/05/2026 18:26

Because it is another word for a dress? It's also a nice word to say I think. I also say hoist by ones own petard - I do not own a petard nor do I know anyone who has one. It's the joy of language.

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Frocks is a word used mainly middle aged transphobes, specifically, I've noticed. That and 'lippy' it's intentional and it's weird

Fast800goingforit · 27/05/2026 18:26

itsjustthepricewepay · 26/05/2026 13:34

I don’t agree that they always look awful. I have a lovely vest that is basically a t-shirt with the sleeves cut off

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That's not a vest. It's a sleeveless top.

someonethatyoulovetoomuch · 27/05/2026 18:26

If you’re NHS is there not a HR issued uniform policy you can refer to that will state what non-uniform clothes are appropriate? I can guarantee it won’t stipulate fully covered arms and ankle length skirts. I’m NHS and will wear sleeveless tops / dresses and knee length skirts or dresses in summer, I’m non clinical, always look smart and nobody has ever complained. And we let our front line ward staff wear scrubs on hot days because they’re cooler than full uniform, again nobody has ever complained.

TorroFerney · 27/05/2026 18:26

allthewayaround · 26/05/2026 22:56

Why do people on this thread keep referring to ‘frocks’? What century am I in?

Because it is another word for a dress? It's also a nice word to say I think. I also say hoist by ones own petard - I do not own a petard nor do I know anyone who has one. It's the joy of language.

AnneElliott · 27/05/2026 18:25

No shorts for men or women @Joanneken. It’s a slippery slope think from smart chino shorts to stuff you’d wear on the beach.

Pessismistic · 27/05/2026 18:24

itsjustthepricewepay · 26/05/2026 16:12

I’ve had a look at the policy:

• turn up tidy

• wear your ID

• keep hair tidy and tie it back if it’s longer than shoulder length (never done this ever)

• makeup to a minimum

• no perfume (again, I wear perfume everyday)

• the following is not acceptable clothing:

skirts/dresses with extreme slits
see through clothing
low cut necklines
tops or blouses that expose the midriff or shoulders
vest/undergarments/t shirts that are visible
t shirts with advertising
jeans
jogging bottoms

Op You should just go off this. Op the manager should not be able to change the policy. Maybe she’s not aware but if it’s her personal preference you should question her.

MmeDubois7 · 27/05/2026 18:23

itsjustthepricewepay · 26/05/2026 16:12

I’ve had a look at the policy:

• turn up tidy

• wear your ID

• keep hair tidy and tie it back if it’s longer than shoulder length (never done this ever)

• makeup to a minimum

• no perfume (again, I wear perfume everyday)

• the following is not acceptable clothing:

skirts/dresses with extreme slits
see through clothing
low cut necklines
tops or blouses that expose the midriff or shoulders
vest/undergarments/t shirts that are visible
t shirts with advertising
jeans
jogging bottoms

No.perfume? That's a bit draconian. Do you work with patients?

MMAS · 27/05/2026 18:23

Linen is your answer. There is a ton of it available at incredibly low prices for some reason. Once upon a time it was very expensive. Would suit both the workplace and when you go on holiday if you choose carefully. Not worth giving your job up for.

MmeDubois7 · 27/05/2026 18:20

Presumably, it's okay to wear short skirts with tights in the winter.

Ghostlyfeet · 27/05/2026 18:19

I’m assuming they’ve banned the skirts to make it fairer to men. If they can’t wear shorts then you can’t wear skirts.
I agree about the vests.