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.

She can wear whatever she likes.

It's naff but really completely unimportant.
I'm sure she's found it very difficult to begin her new job where everyone is bitching about her for what she wears.

Any low pay or poor conditions issues you have should be raised via the appropriate channels. Wish you luck with that. But seriously leave the poor woman alone

You could always give her a tattie sack as she comes in each day, she can wear that and you'll all feel better.

Nah. They would then start bitching (on company time) about how she is rich but cosplaying at being poor...

The executive head at the school in work in drives a brand new Porche to school everyday and wear designer suits and talks aboutbhisnfancy holidays. He started as a teacher though.

The good teachers wither accept that they don't want his job and therefore can't have his money or use him as an example to aspire to.

The others complain about him...

I own my own, relatively big house. I’ve had my colleagues round for drinks. They are much younger than me (I couldn’t actually afford my house now and certainly couldn’t if I was 20 years younger). Should they report me to hr because they can’t afford to buy at all? I provided wine….

Don't be so ridiculous! You want to complain about her nice clothes and handbags. That's really out of order

She isn't winning any fans but it's not an HR issue. There is nothing you can do about it other than look for a different job. The old mental health chestnut won't cut an ice because she isn't breaking any rules.

Pretty sure they are gifts, knock offs or she has another source of income because after tax a low six figure income doesn't provide for those sorts of luxuries. We don't go short, don't get me wrong but it's M&S fir clothes, I do have Levi's and a radley handbag but that was second hand!

I like this solution.

Welcome to reality.

Deal with it.

most of them are mandated company cars as the eco credentials make company sustainability look more impressive.

Thank you!!! It’s all well and good saying it doesn’t matter as an outsider, but I think most people would feel the same way if they experienced it themselves

I'm pretty sure everyone knows someone who outstrips them by a mile in earnings (and consequently, type of lifestyle they can afford)

Doesn't mean they are bad people! I can't speak for everyone but what a person wears doesn't make me like or dislike them?

Or report her to HR because she's flaunting the fact she can afford tatties 🤣

This. You cannot take this to HR. You just can't.

I don’t show off my Waitrose Chicken Caesar Salad at lunchtimes at work because some of my team can only bring Tesco sandwiches. But I am - and I don’t mind admitting it - very sensitive.

Sit down, shut up and do some work.

Well said!

So she should dress like someone who is struggling just to make them feel better ???

I'm going to tell my boss to sell his Jaguar and buy a Nissan like I've got.

*No, we wouldn’t have been considered.
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Why not*

Because as a manageress she likely has training/experience/qualifications that they don't have. Same as how many teachers in a school can't just apply for a headship job, they need to have done courses etc.

Jealousy bites. Wish I had that little to worry about.

Your lower colleagues can afford Tesco!? Whoa. We just forage for scraps round the bins on our lunch break.

Nah, they have them because there are huge tax benefits if you have an electric vehicle as a company car

I don't think you should raise it though. I get that it might be a bit insensitive.
I have dealt with people who just assumed I'm such a pauper that I wouldn't recognise an Hermes bag (exAMPLE)! A lot of the time people's wealth is not only determined by their salary, there's a lot of other STUFF going on. How much their parents helped them, what age they were when they got on the ladder, whether or not they have a car, whether or not they're married, to somebody paid well.... whether their in laws have money!

Bloody hell I'm glad I don't work in your office. You sound like a bunch of jealous bitchy 14 year old girls. Grow up and get a grip

Woo woo woo it's the fashin police.

Stop trying to show off your Nissan when we are all driving soviet Lada’s. Rude.