My manager has banned all vests, skirts and shorts

[itsjustthepricewepay]

I could cry right now.

I understand banning thin strapped vests but surely thick straps are fine? She’s also banned all shorts (including knee length) and skirts that sit at the knee. Basically we have to go down to ankle length trousers.

AIBU to genuinely consider quitting my job? Her office is air conditioned but we’re in a horrible hot sun trap!

Well she’s right shout the vests which are always awful but bloody
wrong everything else.

she sack you though

just go on wearing what you NEED

I don’t agree that they always look awful. I have a lovely vest that is basically a t-shirt with the sleeves cut off

I can understand banning shorts - no one wants to see people dressed for the beach. But knee length skirts seem a bit harsh! What do you normally Elly wear and are there any H&S considerations?

When I worked in a lab, we had to we’re gowns and masks whatever the temp but were a bowed cycling shorts and a vest top underneath as long as no one outside staff members saw you looking like that.

I don't understand what's wrong with any of it. Even strap vests. Yes consider leaving, she sounds like a total control freak.

Sorry but no one wants exposed arm pits out in this heat. I'm with her on that.

That's a fairly run of the mill expectation I think. We have a team of 50ish and no dress code, yet only the 1 young girl that is always looking a bit inappropriately address for the environment is doing any of these today.

What about dresses? Banning skirts is bizarre.

Vests: I think depends on the work environment and public involvement.

I sympathise 😞 I’d hate to have to wear trousers as all I wear are skirts and skirts on the knee don’t flatter me at all.

Why no sleeveless tops either though? Does she hate peoples upper arms?

Why can’t you wear below-knee skirts in a lightweight material? And capped sleeve tops?

Short sleeved frocks on the knee or below, then, really. Probably look professional and be comfortable.

We don’t see the public at all

I don’t think I’d describe banning knee length skirts as a standard “run of the mill” expectation. It sounds weirdly strict to me.
This outfit wouldn’t be allowed?

The office is so hot that any extra clothing is unbearable. Like 10° hotter than outside

Probably a mercy on people’s eyeballs. Buy a kaftan

But skirts that sit “at the knee” are banned, according to the OP. Knee length is a perfectly professional length. Longer can look less professional imo, mid calf etc is often more casual.

nah. Bare shoulders at work in an office environment are just too casual come on- most people will just turn up looking like they’re off to the beach.

But who does she think she is banning perfectly acceptable clothing that you could wear anywhere?

I worked in corporate in Spain and in summer people always had smart t shirts etc on - no vests anywhere and wore whatever they liked on the bottom part… proper clothes. I realise most uk people will probably only have casual hot weather clothing but I still can not believe that she’s being that interfering.

Cotton midi / maxi dress with short sleeves?

So what? It’s boiling and we don’t see members of the public

It sounds like you can wear maxi or midi skirts and dresses. Short sleeve blouses. Linen trousers.

I can understand why vests are banned. No-one wants to see other people's armpits. Nor bare thighs and cleavage. It's hardly professional.

QUIT

What are these jobs that you need to look so smart for?

I’m in an NHS role and I’m wearing a floaty above the knee smock dress (with shorts for sweaty leg chafing , not modesty), my boss is wearing long shorts and a cap sleeved blouse, our admin assistant is in a loose kaftan style top and 3/4 lengths, and my other colleagues out on visits/clinics are in a selection of dresses/skirts/shorts with and without sleeves. To my knowledge, none of our clients have complained or died of shock.

would you honestly care if your doctor/lawyer/bank manager/whoever was dressed practically and comfortably but was doing a good job?

I am quite conservative in terms of what I consider acceptable for work, so I also wouldn't approve of a vest style top or shorts (although I could probably be convinced that culotte style shorts are okay - albeit not for me!). But skirts above the knee is ridiculous?

😂😂

I’m nhs too.

The question is
Customer facing...? Then Smart because it reflects on company values etc. this should have been stated at time of employment.
Non customer facing. Get to fuck .
Phone the union. Sudden changes in working conditions constitute a violation of contract. Written or not.