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!

The NHS is letting us wear shorts so Im wearing knee length ones with my tunic. They can be just above the knee if we want. Mine are just below because Im in my 60s. Its much nicer than trousers.

My school only allowed skirts in the 80s (unless religious grounds). I've never worn a skirt since. Do you think those kind of workplace rules are better? I can't get my head round it denoting professionalism. Most doctors I see are in shapeless, baggy unironed scrubs, does that make them unprofessional?

On this, and other threads, lots of people claim that long sleeves and trousers are actually cooler (‘it’s what they wear in hot countries’). I think that’s a myth except if you’re standing in direct sun and light fabric can reflect infrared (and obviously avoid sunburn).
Indoors or in the shade your body is hotter than the air around and you want to maximise air circulation for coolness. A loose sleeveless dress allows heat to move away from your body in a way that a long sleeved top doesn’t.
And personally I find closed shoes hideously uncomfortable in hot weather but I realise some people actually choose to wear trainers in the heat so presumably their feet are more tolerant of being hot and constricted than mine!

Not wearing vest tops is fairly standard. The rules you posted even state about shoulders not showing.

It is possible to dress for the weather without exposing flesh. As others have said, flowy skirts / wide leg trousers.

You can get plain, jersey t-shirts cheaply enough, or plain linen / cotton blouses. Failing that, have a look on line for sewing patterns - there are a few good (even free) ones, - a sleeveless top as you have made can have flutter sleeves / tulips sleeves added easily enough to move away from the shell top look without making the outfit any warmer. Plain cotton sheets are quite a cheap way of getting the fabric for them.

Scrubs are for clinical work to avoid bacterial contamination from outside.
(My dentist wears scrubs.)

But you know that.

Not all doctors are performing surgery or procedures.

Tell your manager that if Duchess Sophie can wear Bermuda shorts, so can you:
https://www.womanandhome.com/life/royal-news/duchess-sophie-knee-length-denim-shorts-heatwave/

I would suggest this is due to some people ruining it for everyone. She did this for a reason.

I always think about the equivalent. Would I want to see a man in a vest or shorts at work?

I find trainers with cotton socks to absorb sweat more comfy than open toed shoes. I also have a horror of having my toes stepped on by other people, stones & grit getting into open shoes.

I'm with you OP. How on gods earth are fucking KNEES inappropriate.

She's on a yacht.

She doesn't dress like that for formal or even casual day wear.

who?

An NHS admin office is hardly a formal situation, and surely a yacht is the place for casual day-wear, which is all that’s required for an NHS admin office?

Some people here think shoulders are inappropriate too. It's very strange.

You are being very rude. And I have been working in various offices for 15 years and visited countless others for work. Even in the city these days, people, especially in non client-facing roles and especially on hot days, wear pretty much anything.

Those who complain are considered dinosaurs.

I think she’s a royal, Prince Edward’s wife, perhaps (I’ve no interest in the royal family)?

Why have you posted a link when you have no idea who the Duchess of Edinburgh is or her role?

That’s right! Don’t want to get wet socks when we’re swabbing the deck!

Time for a muumuu or abaya from Vinted!

She will definitely have a manager. Did she put anything in writing? If not, write up what she sent, send it to her as a statement "hey Twatboss, could you just confirm that these are the clothing items you no longer want us to wear in the office [insert line]."

She probably won't reply, or agree. Then forward to HR and ask them to explain it - "Hi HR, Twatboss has implemented new clothing guidelines (see email below). I've had a look at the clothing policy and I find it a bit confusing. Could you please explain it? Thanks."

I would strongly suggest contacting your union as your working conditions (heat) are shit. Hopefully you're a member?

Please post in either of these places if you'd like further support and not bullying:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/work

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/legal_matters

Btw what are the threatened consequences of wearing The Wrong Clothes? Take it you're not on zero hours?

I agree that a midi dress is just as good. However, you haven't been given time to go and buy one/more so the change of rule in unfair.

Nope - I was a nurse for 40+ years and in my work have been in close contact with every area of the body, shaved or not and couldn’t care less.

The skirt thing is weird, but I agree about the vests and shorts. We get hotter weather for longer than the UK and no-one wore vests or shorts in my offices, ever. Skirts are generally cooler to wear in the heat than shorts anyway.

35c in the office is unreasonable... the clothes issue is a distraction, if the office was a reasonable temperature then her clothes edicts wouldn't be a problem. However, if they can't lower the temperature they should be flexible about clothing.

This guide may be helpful:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/employer/index.htm

Look for a WFH job then you can wear what you want - I am in my cotton pyjamas that are cool and comfy at my desk !

By the same for everyone they mean modern professional dress, which is different for men and women. Knee length skirts are fine, I’d send them 10 photos of business women in knee length skirts and say ‘knee length skirts are suitable professional work wear in all offices that don’t require safety wear, and we will continue to wear those’. sleeveless is a different bet, you probably need to find a flutter sleeve tee/blouse.
record her comments about dress and make sure you have it all in writing- if she hasn’t sent it out in writing have a written chat conversation with colleagues.

@itsjustthepricewepay slightly off topic but before you give up making tops because of the price of cotton jersey - have a look at Tia Knight Fabrics, they do various weights of pure cotton jersey, plus viscose jersey, at excellent prices and good quality. Wide range of colours plus free delivery over £25.

I've just made a plain white short-sleeved T shirt from 1 metre x approx 60" for £5, and the quality is far better than I could buy in a shop. BTW I use a facing for the neck rather than a neckband or bias binding as I find it easier.