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.

Feel free to go to HR about pay rises and progression opportunities but to complain about your bosses wardrobe!? Hahahhha

I looked online and automatically wished I didn’t

Was this when you should have been working?

Do you always like to dictate what women should wear?

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

most heads started as teachers.

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

nothing to do with their ability at teaching whether they are jealous of him or not-totally separate issues.

Surely the whole team cannot be jealous? I’m certainly not!

I work in HR. I hope you work in my company, I could do with a good laugh when you came and complained to me

I don't understand what outcome you're looking for. Do you want HR to set out a list of acceptable brands? Or a cost limit per outfit? How would you define the "normal" stuff you want her to wear?

You looked up how much her belt cost? 😂

Ah OK. You overplayed that. You are just another Hairy One under a bridge.

So, if you're not jealous, just let her be.
Haven't you got enough work to do?

It sounds like a toxic workplace. I actually feel sorry for your department head.

Maybe there all fakes.

This cannot be serious, surely you are not so obsessed with this woman so much that you google the clothes she is wearing to find out the cost? That is creepy.

dOES she have a house? I've come across younger people who don't have their foot on the ladder (sorry for using that cliche) but they dress v well, shoes, bag, hair, the whole works. I have to tell myself off for judging! Who knows what she was given, or if she's in debt, or if she's got mortgage on a decent place. Do you know?

Maybe if you and your team spent less time trying to pull this women down and more time focussing on your careers you could all progress into higher paying jobs.

No-one's missed the point OP. We get it. It's galling to see someone able to afford things that you can't. But though she's maybe insensitive, she's doing nothing wrong, and it certainly isn't an HR issue.

Ha. I'm a retired teacher, For the last few years I had a really lovely TA. She dressed really glamorously and parked her Porsche in the car park! One of my other TAs was pretty much on the breadine. But the two of them got on brilliantly and the poor one definitely didn't whinge on about the rich one's nice clothes, holidays and car (husband's money, obv)

Stop looking at her belts why are you spending so long looking at her to notice her belt. Concentrate on yourself.

Anyone else hope the boss looks more fabulous than ever tomorrow?
#teamglamboss

I do as well. Poor woman. I wonder if she's the victim of workplace bullying?
Are people making remarks, I wonder?

This is cheering me up no end after a long day.

OP: Mr HR Manager, my boss wears expensive clothes. Tell her to take them off!!

HR manager: "take your expensive clothes off, OP's boss".

OP's Boss: takes off clothes

HR Manager: is immediately sacked.

Honestly OP, how do you really see this ending? That HR tell someone what to wear and what bag to bring to work? Do you tell your directors what cars they should drive? Do you walk up to people withdrawing large sums of money from the bank and tell them they should be ashamed?

You're bonkers. Absolutely bonkers.

Oh yes!!

Ach people love nothing better than a common enemy. You’ve all ganged up over something that’s not only trifling but absolutely none of your team’s business.
As I say…please take this to HR.

@Maireas I hope she goes to HR herself if that's the case!

My ex boss, a wee paid professor, was once moaning that one his two dishwashers had broken while he had extended family round for dinner. I jokingly said I too have two dishwashers and waved both my hands at him. We both laughed. Maybe I should have gone to HR. Or maybe I can now and get them to stop his pension

You are mad.

If you have the time to know what her belt is and look it up you’ve clearly been analysing and watching what she’s wearing much more than is healthy.

there are plenty of women on a lower income who still have nice hair and nails so that is completely irrelevant. Handbags she could have had for years and as long as she’s appropriately dressed for the role you should leave her alone. I bet there are plenty of senior men that would have a nice watch or cufflinks. Have a think about whether you’d be as bitchy in that situation.