Scruffy jeans at new job - does it matter?

[ScruffyTrouserMindFlip]

My OH has just started a new job (this was his 3rd day). It's for a night manager at Tesco on £37k. Today he was not customer facing - just doing paperwork etc and training. They said he should wear jeans.

The thing is, the jeans he wore were, imo, really scruffy. Also, I think that looking smart does matter, especially in a managerial role, and especially when you are new.

However, he says I don't know what I'm on about, because I have an office job and it's different. Also that no-one said anything to him about his appearance, and they would have done, if it were an issue.

It makes me feel like I'm mad, that to me it's so obvious that you don't go into work looking like that, but another person can be equally gobsmacked that anyone would think it mattered at sll! I would be more than happy to hear that I'm wrong. Just need some honest, unbiased views!

YABU - The jeans are fine / no-one will think twice.

YANBU - Employers do still care about this sort of thing

I work in an office and people turn up in gym leggings, ripped jeans etc. I personally wouldn’t but the management don’t seem to care.
I’ve found a lot of places a lot more casual now.

Photos

Are they ripped or just baggy?
Is this a need a photo situation

Trying to upload! Internet not playing ball.

Those jeans are not scruffy!

I do agree, those jeans are scruffy and probably not the best for work.

Is it a funny angle? They look really short

He was just in for training

What I wear to trainings at work and what I wear when on the customer floor are very different.

Also those aren't scruffy

I think it totally depends on the job you do. I wouldn't expect a builder to turn up in fancy trousers, but I'd expect someone customer facing to be smart(even if smart casual).

I work in a lab and while we don't have a dress code. Due to health and safety the best bet is trousers and T-shirt with close toed shoes.

Oh and on training days I wear a jeans to, but smarter trousers most of the time.

Backs

I think they are ok because they told him that but I imagine when he's on shop floor he'll have to be smarter. I used to work at Coop and just before I retired they made it so you could wear any trousers, jeans, leggings whatever but not ripped because so many staff weren't wearing uniform. I don't think that's a valid reason to change policy. I hated it because it looked so scruffy. I still wore black trousers.

I agree with you, they do look scruffy, but it's his choice.

The backs are absolutely scruffy for a night manager on a good wage in a new job

is there any chance he could be called out to speak to a customer or staff?

Stain on front (mid thigh).

Oh for goodness sake, those jeans are only fit for gardening or the bin. They’re so scruffy.

He needs to sharpen up! It’s not for me to suggest how he procures a new pair or two, or maybe some chino’s for a mufty day at work, but I hope the current ones will soon be consigned.

I know.

It's hard because he has lost a lot of jobs in the last few years. This has been due to ADHD (diagnosed), and he's been a lot better since starting on medication. However unlike having something hardwired into his brain we can only do a limited amount about, just looking smart seems a pointless thing to look bad over.

We have two preschool aged children, and although I do work, it would be hard for me to do any more days. On times he's lost jobs, we have literally gone without food and it's been dire.

I never thought I would be the sort of person who policed what their partner wore, but here we are.

I think those jeans are acceptable considering that he has specifically been told to wear jeans.

That in itself would annoy me though! I experienced that in my current job when I started, many years ago now. It was smart office attire Monday to Thursday, then casual dress on Fridays. My manager told me to wear jeans - but I don’t wear jeans and didn’t even own a pair! It’s fine to give a new employee an idea of what others wear but not to actually tell them what they should wear, assuming there is no uniform.

They are revolting . Why doesn't he treat himself to a new pair from the store 🤷‍♀️

Try not to worry. They won't fire him because of his clothing. If it's not acceptable, they'll just let him know and he can adapt.

Try not to stress about this.

Those really aren't that bad

And MN is obsessed with chinos 🤣

I never thought I would be the sort of person who policed what their partner wore, but here we are.
That is because you assumed an adult would know how to dress in different situations and you wouldn't need to parent him.

I would leave him in charge of what he wears, why are you worried? Surely it's up to him - and he must see what everyone else wears so he can just fit in with that?

They look fine. I was expecting big rips or obvious stains.

They look really bad from the back, ok from the front (for the type of shift you describe) so that’s better than the other way round.

However if he’s got a tendency to get fired, he’s probably not the best judge of what his employers are thinking.

In these very casual days, if in doubt, it’s a good rule to be be slightly overdressed.

All of which is a long winded way of saying chuck the jeans in the bin.

Even if they don’t mind, they won’t be impresssd. It probably isn’t a priority though, so don’t worry too much.

Because he keeps getting fired