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.

Unless a piece of clothing is offensive (eg a racist/sexist slogan etc) then you have no say over what someone wears, and the team all coming together to discuss her appearance could be seen as bullying.

It honestly all sounds petty and small minded. Yes a lot of people are finding things tough financially, but it isn't her fault and she shouldn't be used as a scapegoat.

Going to HR will make you sound ridiculous.

Suggest that she comes in naked.
Although you would probably be jealous of her figure.

You and the team are pathetic. If she wishes to spend her money on designer goods then that's her prerogative. She shouldn't be chastised for liking the finer things. It's also not her fault. If my team complained because I wear branded clothing I'd go fucking mental!

I think any overt displays of wealth are naff and not great in times of wealth disparity

there's never being a time in history there haven't being wealth disparity.

I understand OP- I work with a woman who ALWAYS look beautiful, even more annoying when I comment on her clothing she will proudly say 'I got this top in the Tesco sale' or 'oh that skirt was £4 from Primark' it's very annoying because I don't have the fashion sense to dress like her, thanks to this thread I am going to head straight to HR tomorrow and demand that she is told to dress a little more like a slob to make me feel better. Cheers OP

That you are all upset doesn’t make it reasonable.

She sounds like a taste-free zone, and I agree it’s insensitive, but as long as she follows the dress code, she can dress how she likes. As a PP said a 100k salary wouldn’t buy too many of the labels you’re quoting, so either they are fakes, she’s great at sourcing vintage, or she has another source of income.

Her coming in in a next suit isn’t going to make you feel any better. You will still be (rightfully) pissed off at how squeezed you are.

Put your energies into negotiating better pay and conditions. If you put in a complaint like this HR are going to dismiss you as dopey.

Is she dangling her designer belts in your faces and saying "nah nah, you poor plebs will never afford this"? Thought not.

If she can afford high end stuff, then that is her "normal" (whatever normal is!).

Going to HR will basically be an admission that you and your colleagues are gossiping about this person, and not in a nice way.

But apart from this, have you been supportive and helped her to fit into her new job, like?

This is one of the most pathetic things I’ve seen on here. What sad lives you lead. You are beyond bitter.

stop the gossiping in the office and let it go

I think you’re all being awful to a new member of the team, gossiping about her clothes, her wage etc. saying she “swans” into the office. You don’t know how she acquired those items, whether they are real or not, old or new, gifts or the result of saving and you have absolutely no idea of her financial or personal situation. I feel quite sorry for her. What a horrid welcome to a new job.

As for her wage, she’s seen a job she is qualified/experienced for and gone for it. Well done her. Again it’s not her fault that your roles are not as highly paid.

it’s also a bit weak to say “well everyone feels this way” talk about pack mentality. Maybe you should be an individual, focus on upskilling or learning from her and you too could be banking a higher salary.

What did she say when you spoke to her about it? Or do you only gossip behind people's backs?

Experienced what themselves?

Someone else wearing expensive clothes and having expensive handbags isn’t something that is happening to you. It is not something you are experiencing. Do you honestly think this woman decides what to wear in the mornings based on what she thinks is going to piss you off the most?

It sounds more like what you’re experiencing is a cliquish workplace where lots of people are feeling disgruntled so have united against someone who didn’t cause your problems and isn’t experiencing them because you don’t like that she can have things you can’t. A bunch of bitches basically.

I honestly don’t know why you care!! Maybe she is just really into clothes. Someone will always have more than you- no point getting jealous. Just accept for what it is.

The whole team are petty. Hope that helps.

Your jealousy will do nothing. She has money because she does a job it seems the team can't do (you said wouldn't be considered). She may have different priorities. If you want to be paid more, get another job.

How nice that someone takes care with their appearance.
Genuine question - how do you know how expensive her belts are?

I'm sure you'll entertain HR with this tale. You all sound jealous.

No one is missing the point. How ridiculous to go to HR about what she wears. You have no idea if they are real or fake etc….you can’t police what brands she wears. Yes, times are hard but that’s not her fault. Jeez!!

You all sound very jealous and silly. Please take it to HR.

😂😂

Sounds like a horrible place to work.

If it’s real.

Each to their own. She has chosen money and nice things and a career to afford it.

I say this as someone who is scraping by but at the moment I have reasons for not wanting a corporate full time job. This is my choice.

Footage of op when her boss got the job

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

What? Worked with people who earn more than and therefore can afford a different lifestyle?
We've all been there 🤷🏼‍♀️

We've never complained to HR thought because that's just batshit

Brilliant

I looked online and automatically wished I didn’t