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!

Relaxing the dress code used to mean men could take off their ties where I work!

Nobody under the age of 80 uses the word frock for good reason 😂

I do! ☺️

You wrote my mind. Can you actually deal with the dung half these eejits are coming out with? They sound like they strive on structure and control, the education system worked very well on half this lot 😂 “I must obey…..I must obey” they love it lol

Sorry, but when I was working we had to wear stockings or tights, blouses and knee length skirts in the 1976 heatwave and there was no air con in the prefab office I worked in.. HR did come round every so often to insist we drank the tap water they provided, there was no bottled water in those days.
Men also wore long sleeved shirts, short ones were not in fashion, thought sissy.

Me too. I love the word. And frocks. I've bought one today 😆

Surely it's reasonable to go to work and not have to see anybody's armpits..or toes for that matter. And I would be complaining daily about anybody who wore perfume (especially as it is against the rules!)

Sounds harsh! I’m wearing this kind of thing at the moment, sleeveless, cool and smart (mine like the blue on is knee length not that short)

Some catering jobs say no perfume, and hospitality, can't stand waiting staff walking round in a cloud of perfume or aftershave.

Unfortunately managers have to assume that everyone needs the guidance that in fact only a few staff members need - without clear guidelines some people will turn up in hotpants and strappy tops and flipflops. In many ways the majority "suffer" the consequences of the few who just don't get it. (FWIW loose light fabrics are cooler that jersey/t-shirt fabrics and tighter clothing - look at typical clothing in consistently hot countries)

Words would definitely be had if someone wore that vest in my workplace, it does look particularly scruffy.

Maybe the manager isn't brave enough to speak to individuals about the way they're presenting themselves so has decided to go for a general clampdown to bring standards up to a reasonably professional level.

That’s all well and good, but it’s not 1976.

I think your top is lovely and well done for making it. Screw what everyone else thinks and wear what you like, if it makes you feel good then all the better!
Your boss is being a dick! This heat is not easy on anyone, they could turn a blind eye temporarily. (I work for healthcare too).

Strappy vest tops being banned is reasonable, and short shorts. But banning shorts and skirts above the knee in general is crazy!

Below finger tip length is generally acceptable.

So what?

The bottom line is you need to comply with the written dress code NOT your managers mad ramblings

I would literally wear sandals (not prohibited), a knee length skirt (not prohibited) and your t shirt (AGAIN, not prohibited).

Any attempt at being told off I would send an email copying in HR stating your complying with the dress code.

I literally wouldn’t put up with this, it’s too hot and you’re a fucking adult who can read a clothing policy.

Basically, fuck that fucking shit.

True, but we didn’t moan about the weather so much.

I know, right?!

WTF - armpit hair inappropriate??!! 🤣🤣🤣
Oh good lord! What is it with people and YOUR NATURAL FUCKING STATE OF BEING?

We didn’t have global warming so much then either!

so you don't see the public...she has an airconditioned office....it was 35degs in London yesterday....What is her problem? Totally unnecessary. No-one is suggesting you turn up in beach wear but for goodness' sake, where is her humanity? Loose fitting linen dresses should be fine, no? Thank god I don't work in an office environment. People lose their shit over body parts, it's ridiculous.

A few people have made this argument on this thread. It boils down to:

1. Some people might stretch the rules and wear clothes which are too casual to work
2. This would cause no actual harm, the roles we’re talking about aren’t customer facing
3. It would however require managers getting involved in explanations and possibly arguments
4. It would be unreasonable to expect managers to manage, so instead they need to have a blanket ban on perfectly reasonable clothes for all employees on the basis that sleeveless tops or sandals are a slippery slope to bikini tops and hotpants in the office.

We also used to shit in holes in the ground. It's okay for things to move on.

I completely agree with her on vests, not professional in a work environment but T shirts or capped sleeves should be fine and you are literally talking about an inch or two of extra material on your shoulders. Not sure why she would have a problem with skirts to the knee though. Short skirts I can understand. Dresses to the knee are also perfectly acceptable imo I would just call sick saying the heat in the office has given you a migraine and you can’t possibly come to work until it’s worn off (which will coincide with the weather cooling down!) as a migraine sufferer if I worked in a boiling hot office I would definitely be vomiting and unable to lift my head/ open my eyes from a crippling migraine

Much too beachy casual.

Both matter in a work context surely you can see that?