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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think you shouldn't have to wear business wear clothes working in a call Centre?

58 replies

pinipol · 27/09/2018 14:57

So I've recently got a job working in a call centre.
The dress code is formal and it's black trousers and a smart shirt.
I think it's a bit silly seen as though nobody sees you but anyway yesterday the manager took me to one side and said my black trousers were too tight and they needed to be bootcut rather than straight leg.
Aibu to think this is a bit crazy?

OP posts:
HilaryBriss · 27/09/2018 15:00

It does sound a bit daft but at the end of the day, if you want to work there then you need to abide by their dress code.

codenameduchess · 27/09/2018 15:03

Depends on the call centre, do external visitors/clients or customers come on site? If so then it's understandable as you don't want externals seeing staff looking scruffy (because some abuse relaxed dress codes). Where I work we don't have business dress, but if seeing any externals we have to wear business dress.

The black trousers and shirt and tight trouser thing is a bit OTT though so yanbu there.

user139328237 · 27/09/2018 15:06

Forcing anyone to wear boot cut trousers is unreasonable whatever the job...

Original poster
pinipol · 27/09/2018 15:07

No it's basically customers ringing to place orders or queries about deliveries or accounts.

OP posts:
peopleispeople · 27/09/2018 15:10

I think it's a sign of respect and commitment to work, rather than just looking good for people. If you dress smart you think smart, kind of thing.

Like wearing a uniform to school.

Paddington68 · 27/09/2018 15:16

I worked in a call centre years ago and the men had to wear a tie.
Thought it was insane back then, and still do.

Gromance02 · 27/09/2018 15:20

It's quite out-dated really. Where I work, the big bosses (£100k plus per annum) only dress smartly when they are in meetings with external people. They wear jeans/smart trousers the rest of the time. Same for the rest of the staff. All very professional.

Satsumaeater · 27/09/2018 15:20

Seems a bit ridiculous to me. Smart yes ie no flipflops or ripped jeans but no more than that.

I can't wear slim jeans because my calves are too big so I wear bootcut jeans. I'd be a bit stuffed if someone told me I had to wear slim jeans. That's just micromanaging.

But call centres like to treat their staff like errant children so I guess it is not that surprising that they are behaving like a strict headteacher of an academy.

greendale17 · 27/09/2018 15:23

YABU.What do you want to wear then? Tracksuit and trainers?

It is work. You are in a work environment. I really don’t see the issue here.

Meandyouandyouandme · 27/09/2018 15:27

I worked in a call centre for a large department store, we had to wear business wear as well and we weren’t customer facing. Store staff had to also wear business dress but they got an allowance to help pay for it, call centre staff didn’t for some reason. Also head office got to wear their own clothes as they weren’t customer facing, the inconsistency did my head in! I think so long as you look reasonably smart then any clothes would be ok.

Original poster
pinipol · 27/09/2018 15:27

I think matching the clothes to environment you are in would be a better solution.
You wouldn't expect a electrician to rock up wearing a suit so why would someone sitting behind a telephone be expected to do that

OP posts:
Original poster
pinipol · 27/09/2018 15:28

As long as your are presentable I don't see any issue.

OP posts:
MiggledyHiggins · 27/09/2018 15:30

It's a ridiculous rule. If they want to dictate a specific pair of trousers that you must wear -in this case bootcut- then they should provide them.

BlueBug45 · 27/09/2018 15:33

OP I agree it seems crazy but I've worked for different types of businesses including in my 20s call centres, and it is to stop people turning up in unsuitable clothing. While you don't have any visitors there is only so much of a colleague's body you want to see.

Oh and I've worked from home a lot in recent years with online meetings. After hearing the stories of men showing their balls when having to get up, I made sure I was always suitably dressed.

DanglyBangly · 27/09/2018 15:35

I don’t think it’s unreasonable for them to specify business wear in a workplace.

I do think it’s unreasonable for them to dictate the cut and size of your trousers though.

Tomatoesrock · 27/09/2018 15:35

Yes it is crazy and petty with the style of trousers. I have worked in many call centres unfortunately, it was only the smaller ones that insisted on silly uniforms or a dress code even on the night shifts.

Now I am working in a huge world wide brand call centre as long as it is not showing excess skin you are ok to do your job.

Merryoldgoat · 27/09/2018 15:40

I had to wear a uniform for years. It was company wide on an international level - people in store and everyone in support in offices with no external meetings.

I never met a single customer and had to wear that shitty navy blue monstrosity. And it did the absolute opposite of what it was supposed to because it didn’t suit me at all and so I made no effort at all with my appearance. I knew I’d look awful so I just rocked up in my blue nylon.

I look infinitely smarter now I’ve changed jobs and can make adult decisions about what to wear.

I totally understand uniforms can be import in some jobs but I don’t see the argument for accountants at head office who never meet external clients.

allinmyhead12 · 27/09/2018 15:45

the choice of business wear may be down to a state of mind, if you are smart in dress then you think smart etc etc, not sure it works but have known of the theory being used before. However that said do not agree with the type of trousers you need to wear. have they given you a company handbook yet? this should contain the uniform policy etc then you will be able to see if it it spelled out about the trousers or if it is your manager that has the issue....maybe you just look too good in the trousers and its them that cant cope watching you in them LOL :)

Aquamarine1029 · 27/09/2018 15:45

If you don't like their rules, get a different job.

Polarbearflavour · 27/09/2018 15:48

I wouldn’t work anywhere like that really! I worked in Banking in the City/Civil Service/university and wore what I wanted. Dresses over leggings or with tights and boots with winter. Can’t imagine working in an office with a strict dress code!

stillHereStill · 27/09/2018 15:51

Do you have aspirations to not work in a call centre? Learn to play the game.

60sname · 27/09/2018 15:58

My office stipulates business-casual even though I am not client-facing (however, we do have clients attending meetings in the building).

The actual type of work is irrelevant - specific attire is not required to use a phone/computer but most office jobs have a dress code.

Bluelonerose · 27/09/2018 16:05

Op Op funnily enough I've been out to lunch today and was discussing the very issue of "uniform" at work.
The lady who served me was wearing ripped jeans. She was polite, hard working, engaging. The jeans don't make a jot of difference at all.

I'm baffled why some people are so hung up on wearing a shirt and tie Confused

user139328237 · 27/09/2018 16:05

Theres no problem with a place having a dress code. There is a problem when that dress code insists on bootcut trousers which are not a flattering fit on all people.

Celebelly · 27/09/2018 16:09

I think if they only want a specific cut/fit of trousers then they should provide that themselves.

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