Appropriate Clothing for this Job

[SoLils]

Keeping context light but following a conversation this morning would you say these outfits are appropriate for a parish administrator, working 15 hours a week in a Catholic Church (I’m not the administrator).

Beige Jeans, Knit Jumper
Stripe Top, Linen Trousers, Co-ordinated cardigan
Light Jeans, White Top, Knit Jumper over shoulders
Navy Floral Summer dress (Falling a fair bit above the knee but below finger tips as she’s tall).

All outfits worn with trainers, usually white or beige.
Most of the Job is office based, answering calls etc. But she is communicating with parishioner's in person most days too.

Do you think these are reasonable or unreasonable outfits?

I have no idea of that specific job title but if you asked me what a woman who worked as an administrator in a church would be wearing I would probably picture florals, cardigans and beige to be honest.

Seems perfectly reasonable to me.

They sound fine to me. Has someone complained?

I sort of imagine floral skirts or dresses with plain tops and cardigans flat shoes or trainers especially as floors can be uneven in old buildings like Churches.

There’s been some comments about her casual style, she’s only in her 20s and while she is an active part of the church community outside of her official
role, I think there is a general dislike towards her.
Some of the older women have mentioned her dresses are short/jeans not appropriate etc.

Personally I think what she’s wearing is absolutely fine but presumably there is a dress code? Jeans and trainers were not ok at my last place of work but dress codes vary. It doesn’t really matter what these women think if she is dressing in line with the dress code, and they should be told that.

Also if this is because there’s a general “dislike towards her” this could be regarded as bullying.

There's no way I would wear jeans to work in my current job, but I have in previous jobs. It sounds fine for the role she's in. Unless there's a specific dress code that she's not complying with, I wouldn't have an issue.

Hmm, usually OK but it is a very peculiar demographic. I’d err on the side of a bit more formal - blazer, slight smarter trousers, dresses. Proper shoes, not trainers - ballet flats or loafers instead.

As far as I know she’s within the dress code, she is the only paid member of admin staff, it’s a small parish.

I’d say jeans and trainers are not appropriate for that role. Also skirts and dresses should not be shorter than finger tip length.

It’s a constant battle I have with my younger reportees at work. They struggle to understand appropriate semi-formal work dress code.

gosh sounds like bullying in the workplace

@IlovemyshedI’m not quite sure what you mean by a ‘peculiar demographic’. People attend my Catholic Church wearing anything from very casual to very smart, nothing particularly peculiar, and I think we are a more or less representative mix of our local population. I always ask myself what God would think, and I’m sure he’d be glad that we’re all there, never mind what we wear. The administrator’s attire sounds absolutely fine to me, and I can’t imagine that visiting parishioners would bat an eyelid.

C of E parish administrators I have known have worn very similar.

my current vicar (female) favours knee length dresses and leather jackets.

What a lovely Christian place to work!

Right?!