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!

What kind of bizzare sadistic manager do you have?! Who cares, its literally too hot to care about what people are wearing 🙄

What you wear at work should reflect the business and organisation you work in.
Knee length skirts should be acceptable in most places in the UK.
Vest tops no. Shorts no.
I would go back and ask about the skirts.

OP please answer the question, are you permitted to wear dresses or skirts which end below the knee? Your Header says all skirts are banned, but your post says in those that are shorter or on the knee? Which is it?

😫😫

Incase nobody has been able to guess - i cannot bear the heat

Fine for the beach or park, inappropriate for office wear. And likewise any clothing on the lower body that leaves knees uncovered while sitting is inappropriate for office wear. The same is true for either sex. Yabu. Of course you aren't limited to sweltering clothes. There are plenty of options in thin breathable natural fabrics. There are loads of countries where it is at least this hot all.the time and covering up to the ankle and wrist is normal and the people there aren't sweltering all the time they are wearing clothes that are appropriate

What does your Trust’s hot weather policy say? Our landing page has a massive banner declaring that smart shorts are fine as per the extreme weather policy (or something like that).

It’s unclear. She’s suggested ankle length is “most appropriate”

Almost every man in an office today is wearing trousers and has the top of their arms and shoulders covered. You will survive just fine and are being dramatic.

I do think skirts and nice vest tops are always office appropriate though.

Why are my shoulders or knees “inappropriate”? I just don’t get it 😂

It does seem an overreaction. Surely there’s a discussion to be had. Can you speak to HR?

I will be returning to work in health care next week. I will be wearing a tshirt, a tunic top and leggings plus a jumper if it’s too cold.
Why can’t you wear your usual trousers and top/blouse? What’s the rationale?

Well there should be a dress code policy that your manager can refer to. It isn't up to your manager to set the rules.

I've always thought it odd that people think vests are suitabke for work. I've never worked anywhere anyone thought shorts were.

I'd guess there's been some pushing of boudaries, and the new policy is a response to that.

Something that is basically a “t shirt with the sleeves cut off” is not inappropriate for workwear.

I saw my GP last week and she was wearing something similar to this. The idea that it’s inappropriate is weird. It’s totally fine.

It’s 35 degrees in the office right now?

Yes it’s basically this but with a higher neckline!

Well she sounds insane tbh. Mid calf would be less “appropriate”?

Ok, silly question that I’m now genuinely pondering : does wearing vest and shorts feel cooler than a thin cotton frock?!

I tend to wear thin loose dresses in the heat, so as not to get too much skin exposure ( mum had skin cancer) so it hadn’t occurred to me that exposing skin would be physically cooler.

Can you get facilities to come and do a room temp audit on health and safety grounds? She's being ridiculous.

So all the women will be swooshing around in maxi skirts or dresses? 😂
Yeah, that'd be a no from me!

Your manager has clearly been burnt before by trying to be reasonable and had some pisstaker swan in wearing a boob tube and nike pro shorts so they’ve gone draconian this time.
FWIW our dress code is “heads, shoulders, knees and toes” - only the first one should be uncovered at work regardless of sex. Easy to remember and impossible to query really.

The biggest issue for me is the temperature you are all working in, while your manager has an air conditioned office. I would be taking this higher in itself.

On work clothes, I think most people have an idea of what is acceptable. In this weather I'm wearing a short sleeved blouse and loose ankle grazing linen trousers. Sometimes I wear a midaxi skirt, so it hits around mid shin. I wouldn't wear a vest top at work, or a skirt above the knee generally speaking.

If it's "unbearably hot" can you get the temperature taken? I am sure that there are rules about workplace temperatures. Perhaps everyone should work from home until tne temperature reduces - or they rethink the dress code.

Im glad I work for a small company with no dress code - everyone here, men and women are wearing shorts, and tshirt/polo shirt, today. I also wear crocs or flip flops sometimes.
Its not an office though

I really can't see the problem with wide straps and knee length skirts. Your manager is a loon.