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 seem to recall a manager trying this where I worked but it was only shorts on men he tried to ban! Are you in a Union?

WHY has SHE banned skirts?

I thought this is standard practice. I work in a school but not a teacher and we’re not allowed to wear vest tops or short skirts or shorts. We all just wear dresses, long floaty trousers/skirts etc. quitting your job is a bit extreme imo. Get a handheld fan or a desk fan if you’re that hot

If you’re in the UK check the acas website. There are rules for weather apparel.

Get a nice flowy maxi skirt and get the men to wear them too. Stick an ‘out of order’ sign on her a/c unit.

Your workplace sounds awful and half the people here sound like snobs who don't care that you're trapped in a oven at work "I wouldn't wanna see that either " wah wah, no one cares if armpits scare you karen , let's see you overheat at work and see how long it takes YOU to want to wear something more breathable. Sorry for your shitty workplace , and half of these moronic takes. You should be allowed to wear whatever as long as it's moderately appropriate-and you don't even see the public !

You refer to person as your manager, do you have anyone above this person you can complain to. Also need to ascertain where this appropriate clothing requirements policy came from. Have they created it themselves or has it come from higher up the chain? This person has a responsibility for your mental + physical well/being. Yes, I agree strappy tops and most shorts may not be appropriate but many tailored sleeveless tops or knee length shorts and most definitely skirts/dresses are ‘decent/modest’. I would challenge this policy.

Hell, try working in retail during some of the hottest summers and having to wear tights, sleeves (short sleeve acceptable) and full make up!! Or a company where you have a uniform of long black trousers, closed in shoes and 3/4 sleeved white shirt!! It's a few days of hot weather and if your office is a threat to your health you can refuse to work. Not sure how you'd prove that though 🤔

Invoke the Second Amendment!

My young daughter (she was 11 at the time) was once told her top was indecent. Yes it was sleeveless but really just what you describe as "the sleeves cut of". Full shoulder width, regular neckline, regular lenght. Nothing sexualizing at all. They made her wear her PE sweater - in a heatwave - untill she fainted. Only then did they call me to pick her up. And even then they belittled me about the bad choice of clothing - because of the reputation of their school?!?! I just took my child and left. And then I denounced the school to the right authorities for moral cruelty and bigotry.

When I worked at Tesco in the 90s, they told us we had to wear tights with a dress or skirt because of 'skin shedding'. Surely if we'd worn the trousers all of the shed shin would have fallen out of the bottoms though?

If it's am office or public facing, it's quite reasonable to ban vests and shorts. They look unprofessional. I think she's unreasonable banning skirts, unless she's meaning pelmets.

I’m assuming they’ve banned the skirts to make it fairer to men. If they can’t wear shorts then you can’t wear skirts.
I agree about the vests.

Presumably, it's okay to wear short skirts with tights in the winter.

Linen is your answer. There is a ton of it available at incredibly low prices for some reason. Once upon a time it was very expensive. Would suit both the workplace and when you go on holiday if you choose carefully. Not worth giving your job up for.

No.perfume? That's a bit draconian. Do you work with patients?

Op You should just go off this. Op the manager should not be able to change the policy. Maybe she’s not aware but if it’s her personal preference you should question her.

No shorts for men or women @Joanneken. It’s a slippery slope think from smart chino shorts to stuff you’d wear on the beach.

Because it is another word for a dress? It's also a nice word to say I think. I also say hoist by ones own petard - I do not own a petard nor do I know anyone who has one. It's the joy of language.

If you’re NHS is there not a HR issued uniform policy you can refer to that will state what non-uniform clothes are appropriate? I can guarantee it won’t stipulate fully covered arms and ankle length skirts. I’m NHS and will wear sleeveless tops / dresses and knee length skirts or dresses in summer, I’m non clinical, always look smart and nobody has ever complained. And we let our front line ward staff wear scrubs on hot days because they’re cooler than full uniform, again nobody has ever complained.

That's not a vest. It's a sleeveless top.

Frocks is a word used mainly middle aged transphobes, specifically, I've noticed. That and 'lippy' it's intentional and it's weird

A petard is a fart..

The hell you on about saying no one wants to see? Speak for yourself. Only Mrs Bucket types who think they’re above everyone else would have an issue with it. Most people have exposed armpits in this heat, that’s the only time you’d see it pretty much, what is the actual issue, Do you never go on holidays or even to the beach or pool and see exposed armpits? What an extremely weird thing to say.

Its an unusual heatwave, rules should be relaxed.
If you aren't customer facing who really cares what you wear when its baking hot?
Your manager is being unreasonable, especially if she is luxuriating in her aircon office while you roast next door. She has a responsibility to ensure you are working in suitable conditions.