Work uniform

[Charlie97]

Started work for small administration office, six months in. Getting on great but now an issue.

The practise manager wants to bring in a uniform for the three women that work here. It's dresses or skirt and blouse, I very rarely wear anything but smart work trousers, don't like myself in dresses or skirts.

It want part of the deal, I don't like being told what to wear.

AIBU to protest?

If he employed a man what would he expect him to wear?

Yanbu. Its sexist to insist women not wear trousers. Are they even allowed to do that?

I think (not sure though) that would be verging on breaking the equality act? E.g males and females have equal rights to wear trousers. Not sure on that though.

I would assume he can only insist on a uniform for a role or all staff rather than for a gender?

No not U at all!

Uniforms are fine but to force women to show their legs is sexist. The uniform should be the same for all sexes or have options not just staye women should wear skirts.

I'd wear a sack at work I couldn't care less. having a uniform is great as you don't have to worry about what to wear or buy any work clothes.
My NHS uniform is hideous.

The practise manager is female, never wears trousers and is very "old fashioned" in office politics.

I'm really don't want to be told what to wear, I would never join a large corporate company that issued uniforms. I know the benefits of "you don't have to worry about what to wear" but I don't anyway. To me she is saying "you don't dress to my liking, therefore I'm going to make you".

If you aren't customer facing then I don't really see the point. However, if they insist, say you'll wear the blouse with trousers?? Is there an HR person you could talk to?

Hmmmm, no very small company and no HR!

I'm not customer facing, but clients could see me when they come in the office.

I don't think expecting to wear a uniform is unreasonable, but I think it should be skirt or trousers. Not just skirts.

Will they be providing the uniform?

Yes they will be providing the uniform

Have you asked for a trouser option?

Not yet, no! It's in early stages of planning, but it's been said "I want dresses or skirts" so fairly evident what course it's taking!

I would ask for a trouser option. It'll be very hard for her to say no to that.

Unless it REALLY bothers you and you're prepared to lose your job over it, in which case I'd say no. This isn't in my contract. I'm not prepared to sign a new contract with this in it.

But either way make a meeting with her to discuss it. Tell her everything. It's the only way to resolve this.

Sensible advice, I'll do that!

also ask her to check that the clothes are not 100% polyester,

Why Noah?

oh, hot, unbreathable. up to you of course, as they wash and dry well but i just find them hot

Oh I see Noah! I'm heading for the menopause, hot is not good! Thank you for reminding me of that!

Tell her it would be against your sincerely held religious beliefs

Mention a health condition that makes trousers a must, but don't go into detail.

You could have scarring, a prosthetic leg, psoriasis, varicose veins, problems with chafing, problems getting tights to fit, prone to thrush or cystitis so you can't wear tights... The possibilities are endless.

It's the polyesteriness that would piss me off. Uniforms are always so ill-fitting and hot, scrubs notwithstanding.

Do any chaps work there?

Ask if males joned, what their uniform would be? I wouldn't like this either btw, I like choosing clothes for work.