To refuse to wear a uniform I can't do up without help?

[SophieWilson92]

Signed up to post this after reading AIBU for a while!

I work in a salon and a few weeks ago we got new uniforms with tiny invisible zips on the back. I work part time so I've got to either get DH to zip me before he goes into work (and wait for him to get home after...) or turn up at work half dressed.

DH loves winding me up about it, particularly when he gets home and I'm waiting for him like a child

I want to tell my boss I won't wear it because it's just not practical... AIBU?

There are no male uniforms at this salon. So we don't know how they do up.
I don't think the OP has yet discussed this with boss. She/he might be completely open to a change.
I am struggling to see with the given scenario how it is sexist. That is not to say it isn't.

Could you bulk up the zip puller with sugru to make it easier to get hold of? Something like this but using the existing puller instead of a paperclip: www.instructables.com/id/Sugru-Zipper-Pull-Replacements/

(Note: takes 24 hrs to harden up)

Bonus points if you pick a really contrasty colour

Similar story. Dress code rescinded.
www.google.ca/amp/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.3294640

Not it isn't @Ivebeenaroundtheblock

Did you read the article or anything the OP's said?

"Employee quits over sexy uniform" is not the same as the OP not managing to reach her zip.

Can you put it on with the zip done up?

Totally reasonable to expect a uniform that you can get on and off by yourself.

If you had a disability then you’d be covered under disability discrimination laws if workplace wouldn’t find a compromise. I’d start there. An alternative that you can agree on should not be complicated.

Of course, you could be told (as you were upthread) that since the rest of the staff are good it’s your problem. You could also be told that being independent isn’t necessary.

It is. Being independent is worth fighting for. YANBU

If you read the whole article some quit, the original complaintent didn’t and they were going to take it up to s higher level court due to sexual discrimination

that 1/3 of them can’t do up themselves?

It’s one person. Saying it’s 1/3, whilst obviously mathematically correct, makes it seem like a huge problem.

OP have you asked the others how they do it and watched them? They may have a slight trick to doing it (or just have more flexibility!)

Getting changed at work does seem the best option for now though.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm maybe going a bit far calling it sexist but I know I have this uniform and about a dozen dresses I need help with and I don't think I've ever had to help DH with anything.

He's working from home today because of the snow so will be here to help. I'm going to get him to zip me before I go in but tell him not to help unzip later as I'm determined to do it myself! Time will tell...

Is there not some kind of tiny hole where the zip pull meets the zip?

SoupDragon kind of but its not really big enough to get a ribbon or anything into, the pull fills it iyswim. I'm hoping to solve without having to build some contraption out of fishing line or something...

I agree it's a sexist issue. Go to any of those websites selling salon/nurse style workwear, and all the men's garments do up at the front and also have a looser fit.

With a sample size of 3 we don’t know if it is mathematically significant or not.

But I don’t think that’s a reason to not be empathetic to the OP or dismiss her concerns.

Anecdotally we do know that her experience chimes with the experiences of several others.

I put my neck out two ays ago trying to undo a zip like that. Really annoying.

So home from work now!

Boss said she understands my problem and will check with the uniform company for a matching option that fastens differently, but she'd really prefer if I could find a way to make this one work so I will persevere for now.

Now home but still in the bloody thing, DH is here but I said to him I would get out of this myself somehow so he's not helping but says he should film it for You've been framed! Pushing the zip down from the top is ok but I can only just touch it with the tip of my fingers from below after a lot of wriggling about. I'm not giving up, it has to be the most frustrating thing EVER knowing that anybody else could do it for me in half a second!

Thanks for all the replies... if this doesn't work I'll try some of the ideas for creative solutions!

Why can't you just change into your uniform at work??

It's a busy shop, people are usually doing appointments and there's not always somebody free to come and help there - especially not as I leave early being part time so everyone else is still working. I have had one of my colleagues help a few times but it's not always an option.

I've now given up trying to reach but DH is finding the whole thing hilarious and pointing out I told him not to help earlier so he's just watching me struggling. Getting closer to scissors...

I like the idea of a small bulldog clip with a ribbon attached. You can unclip the bulldog when you've zipped it.

Well I'm out now, DH finally pulled it down when he realised dinner wouldn't be started until he did!

We've agreed he'll be a bit more helpful at the weekend and we'll try out the bulldog clip idea, thanks BellyBean

You need to practice the Gomukhasana/ Cow Face yoga pose, if you google it you can practice with a resistance band (or a sock) at first. You might find your flexibility improves with practice!