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!

I agree with this.

Every place I’ve worked we had a dress code that we were expected to stick to which was pretty much along the lines posted by OP.

And that’s for the reasons that PP have said - once one person wears a vest, then you get another person wearing a skimpier vest and then you get into stupid arguments about what level of vest is ok. It’s clearer to have a blanket ban so there’s no ambiguity.

OP, you already asked what’s wrong with showing your thighs at work or your armpit hair. You’ve taken it really personally as if it’s your body that’s somehow the issue. It’s everyone’s body - lots of places have a dress code for a variety of reasons. Clothes that flash thighs or armpit hair - on men or women - has never been viewed as suitable attire for a professional workplace.

It just reminds me of the “bring your whole self to work” mantra that’s become so popular. I don’t need or want to know everyone’s whole self, just their professional self. And along those lines, you can’t just wear what you want because you like it. Working clothes should be reasonably professional even if you’re not customer-facing, unless your dress code explicitly permits its casual attire.

If your workplace is hot then lobby for more fans, shades, or other things that will make a tangible difference to your comfort. As PP have pointed out, in hot countries people don’t wear less to stay cool, they wear loose, flowing clothes. Win win for both employer and employees, surely?!

I work in a university and have been in a strappy vest, shorts and birkenstocks today. 😆

Break her air con and phone in sick until it cools down!

If you work for yourself or in a highly creative workplace the dress code can be softer but still appropriate.

If you work for a huge public sector organisation - the NHS- there have to be minimum standards of dress code and professionalism.

Have you ever worked anywhere else?

Senior schools have a dress code (often business dress for women- suits and trouser suits.)
Commerce has a dress code.
Retail has a dress code.
Coffee shops and restaurants have a dress code.
Even hair salons have dress codes- often anything black and not showing too much flesh.

And taking care about how you look can show investment in your job rather than turning up as if you're ready for the beach or a spot of gardening.

Guidelines say offices should have a comfortable working temp of between 18 and 24. There’s no enforceable maximum (so you can’t refuse to work if over 24) but Employers have a legal obligation to manage health and safety risks, treating excessive heat as a workplace hazard.

Presumably you're not a lecturer.
I think that dress is not appropriate for any kind of work in an office setting.

Yes, and in weather like this shorts were allowed. As were vests.

No he’s not. The vest is handmade and the shorts are from H&M. you’re just rude, it’s ivory not bright white and isn’t grey at all. I just Mumsnet is just full of arseholes at the moment because of the heat.

Your union rep may be able to help. If you're not in a union, now is a good time to join one.

In the interim, you need loose fitting clothes in natural fibres - cotton, linen, bamboo. They will be much cooler than anything polyester even if more of your body is covered. You could consider wearing no underwear beneath an ankle length skirt (but maybe with thigh bands to stop inner thigh chafing)

I don’t know why a thread about my manager being OTT has now turned into people deciding they want to tear me down for sewing. But it’s just rude and unnecessary.

Maybe you should go back there?
Clearly this issue over your T shirt is taking up a huge part of your day and energy.

It's coming over like a stroppy teen asking why they have to wear school uniform.

You don't even have to wear a uniform. Be glad you're not in wall to wall polyester, and have freedom to wear almost anything except shorts, a micro skirt and a skimpy top.

You clearly care more about the clothes than the job if you're ready to quit over this. Maybe some young unemployed person would love your job?

Oh don't be ridiculous.

I worked for years in a very conservative City environment — shirts and dark suits for women — even we wore skirts to the knee!

@itsjustthepricewepay I’m curious why you would understand banning strappy vest tops, if it really doesn’t matter what you wear?

Interesting thread.

I don’t but my point is they don’t allow shorts but he keeps his on with his cycling gear plus a bit gross if you’ve been cycling to work in it. But in answer to your question with attitude I don’t.

OP, sorry if someone has already asked this but have you and your colleagues officially raised the issue of the heat level in your office with your manager? It could be worthwhile looking into getting a portable air conditioner unit for the space for the days when the temperature is very high.

Hot weather is not only difficult to deal with on a personal level it also has health and productivity implications for staff, especially in a building that's not designed to deal with heatwaves.

You have my sympathies on the new clothing rules 💐

In this temperature I’d go to work totally naked if I was allowed to! 😆😆 Thank goodness I can have the odd day or two WFH and only have to wear something on the top half for Zoom meetings!

I’d be careful not to rock the boat too much - NHS admin uniforms are nasty poly affairs 😉
Be grateful you can wear your own clothes.

You are the one being arsey OP.

You asked for opinions and you don’t like them.
Shorts are in no way cooler than a loose dress or floaty sleeved top and skirt.
In addition many people don’t like sitting in a chair that someone else in bare arms and legs has been sweating on. Perhaps you have your own chair in which case that’s irrelevant.

Does she actually have the authority to dictate what you can and can't wear? And she'd have to give you a couple of warnings before sanctions could be imposed so if I were you I'd wear whatever is comfortable, and take pictures and email them to yourself each day so you have proof for HR if she decides to push the issue.

Most of your posts are downright rude.

Both the sleeveless top and the homemade T-shirt are hideous and unprofessional. They are beachwear. I’d actually say the T was only fit for a pyjama top.

Why did you come on here for advice when you’re so aggressive with the responses because you don’t like them.

If it's got air con you probs don't have a leg to stand on. I've been in a truck with broken a/c all day. It's been 37°C and I've been in full safety gear - heavy trousers, long sleeved acyclic shirt, and when I'm onsite a hard hat and thick earmuffs due to the noise.

It normally ok when I can retreat to the truck with its aircon but Iiterally don't think I've been anywhere cooler than about 33°C since lunchtime.

You're being a bit of an arsehole yourself with some of your snippy replies.

No, he is not literally wearing your home made top-I would not allow that. His top looks clean, ironed and hangs better. He is wearing a white tee short sleeved t shirt with light striped trousers.

These are what is known as pyjamas or-in some cases-leisure wear.

He got his from John Lewis but they are in Next, Tesco and Marks and Spencer too.

And if your top is ivory, then my arse is porcelain.

This looks like PJs!

No, I’m a senior lecturer. 😀