To ask for for advice on how to solve this.

[QuestionableMouse]

I work for a huge multi national company. Its fast food based.(if anyone knows who it is, please DON'T mention the name)

We recently got a new business manager and he's making my life hell at work. I have sensory issues and can't tolerate the feel of tights. Even the thought of putting them on makes me start to panic. I'm trying to find cotton or natural fibre tights but it's hard because I'm a size 24 and they all seem to run small.

For the last year, I've been wearing leggings under my skirt (the last business manager was absolutely fine with this)

I've just been sent home from work for it. It means I've lost £50 quid that I really needed. He also really embarrassed me in front of the customers by shouting at me like a naughty toddler. I'm not going to lie, I sat and cried in my car.

I'm not sure how to solve it. I can't wear normal tights, have spent £50+ trying various cotton ones and at this point I just want to go to work without all the drama. Is there anything legally that might help me?

Thank you

Is there a more modest uniform approved for Muslim staff? (It may never be worn but there might be a policy somewhere that means it is approved and you might be able to request it).

I think it's long sleeve tops and trousers.

And could you find those in cotton? Would they be ok if you could? I suspect a big company will be happier if you fit within one of their existing policies rather than adapting stuff. Though they should be able to adapt stuff, obviously.

You don't have to wear tights. If your religion forbade you to show your ankles he couldn't force you to wear tights.
He shouldn't shout at you. especially not in front of customers and other staff. and he can't force you to take off your shoes to prove you are wearing tights.

Phone ACAS today;
0300 123 1100
Monday 8am-8pm, Tuesday 8am-6pm, Wednesday to Thursday 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-6pm and Saturday 9am-1pm.

I really hope you can get this sorted. There’s a few things here that are real red flags. Did the manager not ask you why you were out of uniform? Did he not give you a chance to explain yourself? Why are they not able to accommodate you? It’s not as if you’re asking to wear a clown outfit. I would have thought one pair of black leg coverings were much like the next. Also why is he inspecting you so closely he managed to see where he seam on your leggings ran? He seems like a total dick. While you’re explaining to HR the nature of your issue with tights you might want to make w complaint about the way this man treated you too. He’s a bully. Managers should be supporting their staff to achieve, not making them feel like crap to boost their own ego.

Still waiting to hear back from HR (it can take up to three days) so hopefully they'll be able to help.

I've explained repeatedly why I need to wear leggings and it's like he doesn't believe me. It just gets brushed off and I get told to wear tights. He's more bothered by how 'bad it looks' rather than anything else.

Are you otherwise of a smart tidy appearance OP? I can imagine some leggings under a skirt would look scruffy, especially if the ankle/shoe bit wasn't well thought out. When you meet with HR make sure you look as groomed and smart as possible and your leggings are arranged so that they are indistinguishable from tights .... then he will look a cock!

I'm sure it's not the case but for all we know the OP could be rocking up like this 👇🏻 and the manager is inept and trying to smarten her up!

Ah, no. No socks on show. I pull them down and tuck them into my shoes.

Well he's a bellend then mouse ! ... good luck with HR

Still waiting for a response from HR! Thanks though.