Can my boss do this?

[duckcalledbill]

I work for a large organisation (think global company) and as far as I’m aware the dress code is casual (if not customer facing).

you see everyone wandering around the office in jeans and t shirts etc. lots of women in the summer in lovely dresses and trainers.

anyway to my point. I work in a team of about 6 people and my boss won’t let anyone dress down - ever. If we dared wear the likes of blue jeans to the office we’d be pulled aside.

Can a dress code by overridden by a boss on a power trip?

I realise this is a first world problem but I’ve had to spend money on “smart office wear” that no one else wears and we actually look a bit odd all dressed up.

happy to be told they have every right to do this - it’s just annoying me a lot.

They have to follow the organisation's policies not make up their own otherwise you aren't being treated fairly.

Does the organisation have a dress code written down anywhere, like on your intranet site?
If it is then I don't think your boss should override that

I’ve looked for a dress code and I can’t find anything.

looking about the offices there is no discernible dress code and the vast majority of people are casual or smart casual.

As said above, if the dress code is published (and it surely will be if large business) dress within the boundaries. If your boss remarks on it direct them to the dress code. Any grief go to personnel. It may make things uncomfortable for you to do this unless you can get the rest of the team to participate. Good luck!

Cross posted there, sorry. If you can’t find the code ask personnel/HR to get it for you.

A large organisation will have a dress code policy, very often they are very specific to not allow for ambiguity I.e. “no bare shoulders”. Ask HR to send it to you.

I also work in a global organisation and your description of what people wear is identical to my office. No written dress code. If it were me I would be speaking with my HR business partner or my boss's boss. It's ridiculous