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!

If everyone in the office is as bolshie as OP (and as unironed), and if there is a cultural or religious or ethnic difference, the manager may have become controlling because the team is subjecting her to entitled behaviour and maybe indirect discrimination.

I am all for the right to bare arms (repeating an Obama joke from when Michelle was criticised for her looks; I know it is not the US 2nd amendment).

But as this thread continues, I am almost #TeamManager and I suspect she needs to shut her office door for some peace.

A knee-length skirt has been standard office attire since the 1940s so I don't understand that rule at all.

Desk stretches. Major Hair Movements. Catching insects for lunch à la Renfield from Dracula.

Thank you 🪷 This is true.

Please start a fashion thread but title it Nasty Poly Affairs!

This.
Wearing perfume despite it being banned, with no thought for anyone else because you want to "smell nice" ....
OP, you're coming across as selfish, entitled and your way or no way.
I highly doubt that the rules are so prescriptive for women, yet men can wear shorts, as you claim.
I also doubt that your boss has insisted on ankle length skirts only.
Presumably she meant they must be below the knee/mid calf and you've exaggerated to fit your agenda.
Sleeveless vests...an absolute no in the office, for men or women.
Shorts...I understand these being banned, as they could range from knee length to ultra short, so easier just to say no.

I think OP is exaggerating.
I'd like to see an image of the actual directive .
The bullet points she posted don't tie in with what she's said here so there must be another list (somewhere!)

Her title says no skirts then her other posts say not above the knee.
OR she's conflating 'no knee length shorts' with 'no knee length skirts'.

So she's not being very accurate.

Im unsure why so many posters seem to think
Shorts =
beachwear/scruffy/hotpants/swimming trunks etc
Smart shorts exist in the same way smart trousers exist.
....most people who work in an office are able to identify and wear appropriate trousers even though "trousers" could also include pjs, leggings, ripped jeans, joggers etc which are generally deemed unsuitable.

If all this is true, I take it you and your colleagues have contacted your union?

She's bonkers. Who cares what you wear in an office ?

When I was a student nurse, @Lievre - way back in the last century, our uniforms were grass green, thick cotton A-line dresses that zipped up the front, with starched collars that buttoned on - they looked atrocious - and I felt cheated because, in my mind, nurses wore blue. 😂

In society as a whole, we have rules and laws for the few people who can't know what appropriate behaviour is, or who won't make sensible choices.
Speed limits
Drink driving

Rules exist to protect 99% of people from the 1% who want to do their own thing.

I know we can't equate drink driving and speeding with appropriate office wear, but the principle is the same.

There’s no enforceable maximum (so you can’t refuse to work if over 24)

You're within your legal rights to refuse to work if you feel the environment poses an imminent risk though. I would've been well within my rights today with it being 37°C in the truck I was driving and the company mandating that I wear heavy safety trousers, long sleeves, and heavy boots.

Other people who also work in the office ? 😂

Go in nude and say you need a bonus to afford a new wardrobe of office attire.

@itsjustthepricewepay Your post really puts my issues into perspective. I thought I had it bad because of occupational illness, but I am horified that there are people who actually can't wear skirts and vests to work.

I definitely agree that you need to quit your job.

Banning skirts (and presumably dresses) is just bizarre
I’m ok with the rest of it
our office is now mega casual. At the moment shorts and flip flops are the order of the day. Though we do tend to cover shoulders for (virtual) client meetings

OP, your manager's decision sounds bizarre.
And I like your modified t-shirt and wouldn't bat an eyelid about anyone wearing it in office context.

So what to do... personally, I think we have to take these things with a pinch of salt. It's f*ing boiling, and to dictate what you wear in the heat while swanning around in her aircon is just poor practice IMO. Wear something YOU would be prepared to stand up in court and defend as reasonable to wear in your context (obviously you're not going to end up in court - I just mean in theory). If she complains, tell her it's hot and you are dressed perfectly reasonably. Bet she won't, though....
🌻

Rules exist to protect 99% of people from the 1% who want to do their own thing.

I think we can see from this thread that this data needs updating, as an awful lot of people seem to want to do their own thing and wear their own thing on company time. I am old fashioned, but I agree with the ‘heads, shoulders, knees and toes…but heads are ok’ line posted up thread. I also think that your employer can decide what you should wear, within reason, because they are paying you (which is often overlooked - you’re not doing them a favour by popping into the office, they are paying you). If you don’t like it, go and work somewhere else.

Just wear it, what’s she going to do, send you home?’ Make you strip off?

Ah I was ‘lucky’ to wear pale blue nylon J cloth uniforms then 😂
With poppers! And so be it if your poppers caught on a door handle when exiting a milk kitchen with your hands full of baby milk on a maternity ward and opened the entire top of uniform (in front of a seating area for new fathers) 🙈

OP does need to count her blessings imho

Don't come to my neck of the woods, then. One of the standard work wear items in a professional setting for women is a sleeveless sheath dress, usually in linen or a linen blend, solid color, knee length or slightly above. Bare shoulders aplenty.

If they want people to return to the office then they should at least allow people to wear weather appropriate clothing.

That's ridiculous. Ask her if she seriously claims you should be reverting to the Victorian age. Or would she be happier if you opted for the full nun's robe and wimple?

Agree I used to have a very smart job in the city, and my workwear uniform was mainly on the knee dresses many of which were sleeveless. I had a jacket for meetings but not just for day to day sitting at my desk. I assume there are some people who are dressing inappropriately and this is the best way she can think to word it to stop them?