In thinking my manager is hugely insensitive for wearing these things into work?

[Mandarinthyme]

Our department head is very young and glamorous and is fairly new to the company. We know her salary range as it was stated alongside the job advert (a six figure salary whilst the rest of the team are lucky to earn a quarter of that). Every day she swans in to the office like she’s dressed for the catwalk, different designer handbags (the very obvious types - think Gucci, LV etc), Rolex watch, Cartier bracelets, designer belts and shoes. Not to mention the perfect nails, hair and everything else that we just cannot afford these days.

Meanwhile our large team is underpaid and overworked. The recent financial climate means many of us are struggling to heat our homes, worrying about mortgage/rental price hikes and generally having to really cut back. We are all office based and this is something we talk about frequently in conversation, so she’s completely aware of this. She’s previously had the cheek to say that we are all feeling the pinch given the financial situation, which is an absolute insult when she rubs her wealth in our faces 5 days a week.

AIBU in feeling completely incensed by this and wondering how on earth she can think it’s appropriate?! The whole team are upset with this and considering raising it with HR.

I would love to know what your complaint is going to be and how you expect that whole convo to go....
Manager: "and the WHOLE team think this, how do u know"
OP: "well we've all been bitching behind her back about her during our shifts at work so I know they all feel the same"

I foresee the result of that will be your senior management team (rightly) thinking ye are all horrible catty people, and a disgusting uncomfortable uniform will be brought in for everyone!

Yes maybe she is but there is nothing you can do about her and her situation, only better yourself and your earning power.

Dear Mumsnet, I’ve recently got a new job, a big promotion at a different company, and I’m so excited! But, I’m managing a team of people who are a lot older than me and have been at the company for ages, and I’m afraid they haven’t been very welcoming.

I’ve bought new suits and am making a huge effort with my appearance to try to look super professional, and I try to join in with their conversations and empathise with their concerns, but they just glare at me and mutter to each other.

Their previous manager was a man and I think maybe they just don’t want to work for a woman. 😔

Yesterday I heard them discussing whether to report me to HR, I’ve no idea why.

What can I do, Mumsnet? I’m feeling ganged up on and bullied. I so wanted this job to work.

So she's younger than you, more attractive than you and your nose is out of joint because she's more qualified than you and earns a high salary.

Careful with the mis-directed rage-bitching and creepy googling of her clothes, OP. Shit like that can land you in HR!

You and your team are immature, petty and mysoginistic. I bet if it was a male boss in a 2k Pravda suit nobody would bat an eyelid. The more important issue is , is she qualified and experienced for the job? . You said nobody in your team would be accepted to apply which means your team likely don't have the right qualifications or skills to apply. Jealousy to the core really.

👐

She is insensitive and not a good manager / leader given what you describe.

But it's not something you can complain to HR about I don't think. She's just a bit thick... which isn't illegal.

🥳 spot on

What's your evidence for her being a poor manager?

I second what KenAdams said.

How is she thick? That makes no sense!

I'm poor as fuck and I wouldn't give two shits about this. It's her money, she earned it. I wonder whether you'd be saying the same if she wasn't your younger female boss?

#teamglamboss

She’s “flaunting” it. LOL.
What’s she doing… rolling up her sleeves and directing her wrist in your direction?
thrusting her crotch in your face to show off her belt?
You sound really jealous, it’s quite embarrassing. Most people I know wouldn’t be phased by a designer branded item in the slightest. The fact you’re bothered explains it is jealousy, OP.

@Mandarinthyme I honestly do understand where you're coming from and it must be difficult for you and your colleagues to be struggling.

But, this is not a HR issue. Your manager cannot be disciplined for what she wears if it's within any dress code. If you complain, you will look unreasonable.

The best you can hope for is that someone will give her a heads up that she's pissing off the team and she might want to read the room a little.

This, 100%.

If you found out she had suffered a terrible loss in the family, and she had bought these items from inheritance money, would you begrudge?
if the answer is yes, that is really nasty.

I just can't believe this. Give the woman a chance to do her job. She may over time decide she will dress down a bit but bitching and moaning around the water cooler is hurting you and your colleagues more then her. She may not decide to tone it down but I cannot for the life of me see how this is an HR matter.
When I first started work I used to wear expensive suits - too young to realise too much money for them in reality but I had it and spent it ( for a short while ) - DCs in and all that entailed - Zara was my friend 😊

Well, if she reads the room she'll see it's full of rude jealous people. Not her fault.

If know that you are all feeling this way, it's clear that you've also all been talking about her and sharing criticisms. Be careful you don't egg each other on to bullying behaviour. It sounds as if the situation has the potential to edge that way. HR referrals on such a flimsy and inappropriate basis have the potential to be interpreted that way, too.

@Maireas I don't agree. I worked in the public sector previously and we had a couple

A good manager 'reads the room'. The person being described is obviously not doing that.

My father, later in his career, could afford a very nice car but he went to work in a humble vehicle so that employees would not feel the divide.

It's just basic people skills. Nothing wrong with what this girl is doing ... just not very clever either.

I work in the public sector. Always have. Some people spend more on clothes and accessories than others.
It really doesn't matter, does it?

Unless you are 13 you're making it up.

Tbh.. it smacks of new young starter on great salary..griuo mentality doesn't like her..pick at her.

Does she do her job well ?

My manager does wear much nicer clothes than me. I am in uniform.. honestly it really is irrelevant.

I think maybe get on with your jobs and stop gossiping about the new staff who happens to have nice clothes.