Asked not to wear a Rolex to work…

[Hydrangeajp]

I've been with my current company for several years in a senior legal role, managing a team. The company's struggling lately - redundancies, pay freezes, and bonus cuts. My own manager recently left, and their replacement (board level), joined last week. After a positive initial face-to-face meet, she scheduled a meeting later that week about the Rolex watch she noticed me wearing into the office.

She told me it was inappropriate and insensitive, given both my seniority and the company’s current situation, and ultimately requested that I stop wearing it to work. She essentially said that "most senior staff already know to avoid wearing expensive, flashy items to work”.

I’ve had this watch for years and wear it daily. I’ve never given it any thought and would think most people wouldn’t even notice it's a Rolex. Am I the completely deluded and inappropriate one here? I was so taken aback and put on the spot that I simply agreed not to wear it, but since then I can't stop thinking I should’ve stood my ground (not because I’m desperate to wear the watch, rather, the whole ask felt excessive and inappropriate?) WWYD? I’d really appreciate an honest outsider’s perspective.

Same. I don't think I'd recognise a Rolex if I saw one!

That is utterly ridiculous.

What would I do? I would stop wearing it as I had agreed to that but. once things were better in the office and things were looking up for the company, I'd quietly start wearing it again.

The OP wearing a Casio to work won't pay their bills though, will it?

I don't suppose anyone from their senior management has offered to take a pay cut so the people on the lowest salaries can have an inflation beating pay rise.

I think it's one of those things where she shouldn't have asked, but she also shouldn't have had to ask. And to all those saying they're sure it's unnoticeable/they wouldn't notice - the new boss noticed so clearly does think it's noticeable! There are more and less subtle expensive watches and I guess she thinks OP's is on the flash end and so does look quite crass. I think it's already made her doubt your judgement - personally I wouldn't double-down on that by arguing the toss over it.

I wouldn't even notice if someone was wearing a Rolex, it would just be a watch to me. Even if I were to notice I would think it was a knock off.

They're generally just plain ugly metal looking things.

But I don't see how anyone at work would glance it and know if it's real, or £30 on the market.

As you manage a team, presumably some of them are at risk? So I can see how it might be insensitive.

Maybe there have been gripes about senior management that have got to your new manager's ears?

I wouldn't know a rolex from any other watch, but I guess the whole point of a watch like that is people can recognise it.

It's not actually harming you to forgo wearing it to work so I'd just go along with it.

how ridiculous. Is she going to ask you to forego nice holidays as well? Because other people might find out you’re spending money on nice things?

JC - If it's a board level person that you report to and she's this batshit, I think I'd agree, because goodness knows what else she might do, right?

I'd also start looking for another job....sounds like the time might be right anyway...

@Hydrangeajp do you have a friend who could lend you an obviously dior suit and a couple of valentino blouses plus a pair of louboutin shoes? just for a wee while??

Thank you! Exactly this - you beat me to it 👏🏻

It's weird she's noticed and I think she's just jealous - otherwise she wouldn't have clocked it.

Now I want to know what the deleted post said...

what was the post you quoted, it's been deleted but I need to know the joke 😂

Thing is though, I’d bet there are plenty of senior lawyers with expensive cars- much more expensive than your watch. And as other posters have said, lots of women in that field will have expensive engagement rings. For many people, their rings are the most expensive item in the house aside from cars.

Does she object because Rolex is recognisable. Would she be bothered if it was Cartier or Omega? I bet some of the male seniors have nice watches. Has she had a chat with anyone else?

The deleted post said "Is this a wind up?"

God damn, MN should have left that one.

I sort of get it. We have a couple of directors who are so ludicrously financially out of touch, such is their wealth. I’m sure nobody actually resents them having nice things, but it’s always at times of tension that it really doesn’t help. In our case it’s mostly stupid comments like ‘can’t you just get a nanny’ when having to get back for wraparound care etc. But if you’re going to have to deliver bad news being more ‘of the people’ might not be a terrible idea

If that's the case then I think you should leave things as they are. If others wear expensive watches then I'd carry on wearing it and point this out.

I agree with PP. If she says it again, just say.... oh this old thing? It's a Rollecks, bought it in the markets in .... (wherever cheap enough for her!)

In response to “Is this a wind up?”

@MorrisZapp you are very clever and very funny! I just snorted while DH makes dinner!

Mods were too quick ! 🤣

Trigger happy with their deletions these days 🙄

I didn't see it originally but both
is it a wind up and no its a swiss precision battery are top quality posts!

Brilliant and thanks to @SatansBobbleheadedDashboardOrnament for enlightening us .

@lateatwork and @MorrisZapp 👏

I’ve an HR background.
I think it’s truly weird that someone noticed your watch, and not only asked you not to wear it but implied that you someone who “didn’t realise that it was inappropriate”.

If you want to go on record. The email:

Dear colleague,

Start with brief summary of what u discussed, (always to this do this so that you know “on same page” / esp new manager).

I’ve given your suggestion about my watch some thought, I’ve been wearing it for XX years, and honestly, I’d never thought that other employees would view me negatively for wearing it. Thank you for your candor, I have made the decision to stop wearing it for now, so I can support company values (or whatever might be correct).

I’m liking forward to blah blah blah

(Maybe you can start wearing a nice plastic Fitbit and talk to person nonstop about your steps …)