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!

A skirt just below knee length, and a t shirt with small cap sleeves might be within her guidelines, @itsjustthepricewepay, and cooler than trousers.

That's a very specific set of circumstances. It's trousers and a shirt. Nothing outlandish.

Its like this. Half the time you can see his nips!

He's studying a STEM subject, not sports science. If it matters!

Perhaps. I wear a lot of sleeveless dresses and blouses though when it's warm. As do many other women. I've never heard any comments about shoulders being a problem.

I take it shorts for men have been banned as well?

Or report the manager to HR for attempting to enforce a dress code because of her own beliefs/culture/preference when there is already a dress code.

I’ve had a look at the policy:

• turn up tidy

• wear your ID

• keep hair tidy and tie it back if it’s longer than shoulder length (never done this ever)

• makeup to a minimum

• no perfume (again, I wear perfume everyday)

• the following is not acceptable clothing:

skirts/dresses with extreme slits
see through clothing
low cut necklines
tops or blouses that expose the midriff or shoulders
vest/undergarments/t shirts that are visible
t shirts with advertising
jeans
jogging bottoms

Nope

I think I would be asking my manager to show me the written HR rules for the dress code.

Coss posted with your list, OP

I am 57, having worked in top accounting offices for decades, I really don't need your patronising explanation.

you obviously haven't read the thread.

Go in tomorrow wearing a kaftan. I am wearing those in this weather (and you can make them, easily, out of old single duvet covers, so they are really, really cheap).

Ask HR if the new clothing requirements issued by your LM are:

a) for the whole org
b) been subject to an equalities impact assessment considering they only apply to women and contradict the existing policy

Also ask them how office temperatures of 35C which are leading you to feel unwell are consistent with the guidelines:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/employer/index.htm

Record the daily temperatures morning and afternoon.

If you have a union rep involve them as well some are rubbish, others are good.

What is the rationale for a dress code requiring ankle length skirts? Or has the manager’s brain fried in the sun?

My son has spent the day doing a physical job outside on a building site in socks, boots, hard hat and 'no shorts allowed'. I have limited sympathy for 'not allowed a vest top in an office'

With all due respect and I think the new dress code is strict, that outfit looks like you're wearing your pyjamas to work.

😂😂

I don't see the problem. There are expected dress codes in the majority of professional settings. Teachers are expected to dress to certain codes and it is often boiling in classrooms.

I've never worked in a school where management would not frown on a teacher turning up in a vest top and/or shorts. We were expected to dress professionally which meant shoulders covered and skirt to knee length at least.

It''s a very first world problem, isn't it?

Rubbish. I don’t believe for a second that any manager would be so obvious about gender discrimination. I was with you until this. Maybe you are rage baiting

There are formal dress codes (which may be reasonable depending on environment) and then a requirement for women specifically to wear ankle length skirts/clothing which is ridiculous.

I think you mentioned you are NHS so check your uniform policy. I’m also NHS admin and our uniform policy states no hot pants or boob tubes but no mention of vests etc. in fact someone in our team meeting today had a lovely thick strap vest on. Your manager sounds crazy, don’t quit though, check your uniform policy first and take higher if needed.

The rule for formal summer work wear is no tits, thighs, tummy or toes on display. It’s not unmanageable, we just don’t tend to have summer wardrobes that aren’t more suitable for a beach holiday. Manager is being unreasonable about sleeveless t shirts however.

In the UK, unless you're going in a strict religious building there's not a problem with exposed shoulders. Not amongst normal people anyway.

I bet they have. I’ve literally never seen a man at work in an office in shorts.

Is there an extremes of weather policy? Has a risk assessment of the conditions been done? Are there any other departments in non public facing roles that have a different policy?

It’s a sleeveless t-shirt and some striped shorts. In what world is that pyjamas?!