To think that this isn’t appropriate work wear?

[Howmanysleepstilchristmas]

Fishnet stockings, with suspenders showing 3” below the hem of a miniskirt?

It was her first shift?!

To avoid victim blaming, and tis focusing on women's sometimes sexualised clothing, could you phrase it that dressing in a way that is unusual for the setting - presumably dressing differently from her colleagues - she runs the risk of drawing attention to herself as a person, rather than as a clinician. IFSWIM

In clinical work (or most professional work, really), the focus should be on the patient, and nothing should distract either the patient, the clinician, or her colleagues, from that.

I see this is a basic fundamental feature of being a "professional:" I'm an educationalist - my job is to facilitate my students' learning. My personal views, presence, dress, likes, dislikes etc etc distract my students from focusing on their learning. So I dress and act more neutrally than I am when I'm "myself" off-duty. It doesn't mean I'm unfriendly, or dress dowdily, but my professional persona is not my personal persona. IYSWIM

To those asking about uniforms....mufti is standard in most mental health settings, and has been for years. I've been in nursing since 1986 and the only times I've worn a uniform have been while I was on a general health setting during my training, and the 2 years I worked in the Prison service. The reasoning for no uniforms is that it breaks down the 'them and us' feeling between staff and patients.

Some older adults settings have uniforms as it is easier for a patient with dementia recognise a nurse in a uniform. Some private hospitals would probably have them, and as I mentioned settings like prisons.

TBH the fact it is considered sexually attractive/distracting is probably not the point. The clothing is not suitable for what can be a very physical job. I work for the NHS and the dress code is very specific about suitable clothing, it even mentions that vest tops aren't allowed.

As a woman, I'd feel uncomfortable working with someone wearing that, so it's not just about 'distracting the boys'.

What did she say?

Her first shift??! She's started well! Presumably she wore something appropriate to interview?

First shift?!

And will there be a second?

An ex colleague of mine had to tell a junior member of staff to change her t-shirt as it has the phrase Looney Tunes on it and couldn't see why that was inappropriate and offensive on an acute mental health ward

^

You can't make it up.

She was a student nurse (final year) on placement, so no interview. Technically not a staff member I suppose, but still bound by the code of professional conduct. Not much response from her, other than agreeing to go and change and letting me know this would take a couple of hours due to buses.

Would it help you to phrase it as a health and safety issue (alongside professionalism and practicality). In a similar way a man would not wear a proper tie as in an adverse situation it might’ve used to strangle him, with certain service users this outfit may result in certain dangerous behaviour being exhibited towards her. You also may not be able to redraft the policy but if it’s very woolly could you give ‘guidance’ on how it is interpreted for your team. Although for a first shift this might have been a ploy to get sent home/ fired.

That's not appropriate at all in the workplace never mind in a clinical mental health setting. I also work in mental health and the service users we have would be up a height if a member of staff walked onto the ward wearing that. The staff member would have been sent home to change then make up the shift at the end of the day. Our policy clearly states that staff who wear skirts must wear tights covering the skin due to infection prevention and also be appropriately dressed, no denim and no trainers. This staff member sounds a bit attention seeking but it would not be tolerated here. Imagine if we all wore that for work

Hmm

I am a support worker and the only dress code we really have is to be covered up/dress modestly because it can cause issues with clients. Is this her first job in a healthcare setting? I wear leggings with short dresses or long dresses. I would of been sent home if I turned up like that.

I would say safeguarding issue too - she could attract false accusations and when it went to appeal the outfit would cause her to be judged whether she liked it or not

delphguelph

That's awesome! Idve found that hilarious as an inpatient to be honest, but I could see how some might take offence

Do you think she'd come straight from a night out perhaps?

We don't have a dress code at all, and most people wear jeans and trainers, which are totally appropriate where I work. Nobody wears short skirts or impractical clothes and I've never heard of anyone having to be told to dress differently.

People on school uniform threads always claim school uniform prepares children for the world of work, but perhaps they need practice engaging brain and choosing appropriate clothing for themselves instead!

What did she wear when she came back, OP?

I would document it in her paperwork and possibly mention it to her placement facilitator.

Apart from the totally inappropriate clothing, the thing that would really bother me here is that she’s so fucking clueless. I really would question her suitability for the type of work.

I'd definitely be keeping an eye on her as I cannot understand how she doesn't feel it's an issue. Anyone in a customer/client/public facing role without a uniform should be following the basics:

No short skirts (as a rough guideline I wouldn't wear anything that doesn't cover at least half of my legs between the top of my inner thigh and my knees)
No visible underwear (this includes bra straps and any underwear poking over the top of skirts/trousers)
No jeans
No slogan tshirts
No ripped anything
No excessive cleavage
Nothing skin tight
No sports clothes
No flip flops
No trainers

Surely work is decent length skirt or not too tight trousers then a smart looking top? It's not exactly taxing.

I think luckily this sounds like a one off and was nipped in the bud in time.

Though at our hospital its very common to see junior doctors in short, tight bodycon dresses with high heels! I guess they dress like that until they have to run to a patient to perform cpr then they understand what is suitable for the role!

I can see how a young person may be somewhat clueless about what constitutes appropriate workwear in a given setting. Maybe even this clueless. Although I've never seen any of the young (school leavers-new graduates) anywhere I've worked be foolish enough to contemplate wearing something like this.

For someone in a clinical setting with vulnerable people it would concern me how much of their training had actually been absorbed.

Ive never met any young person who would wear stockings suspenders visible and a short skirt to work, and I say that as a mother of a 21 year old, and someone who was clearly also young once.

I mean seriously did she actually travel to work dressed like that?

It's not appropriate work wear. I don't believe in telling women what they can and can't wear and for a night out (or to go shopping in asda if you must ) it would be fine but at work you need to be dressed smartly and exposed under garments isn't meeting that criteria.

My favorite comment of the day award goes to:

It's fine if you're working in a lab where a sweet transvestite is making a man with blonde hair and a tan