Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My manager has banned all vests, skirts and shorts

693 replies

itsjustthepricewepay · Yesterday 13:32

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!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
18
MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · Today 22:28

MeltyMomenrs · Yesterday 16:32

How rude. The OP hasn't asked for your opinion on her top.

She sort of has - that's why she posted the picture

Wonderfulstuff · Today 22:34

Every time I read a thread that involves working in the NHS, I wonder why such a huge organisation always seems to want to treat it's employees like children.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · Today 22:34

itsjustthepricewepay · Yesterday 17:00

I didn’t say I would wear the shorts to work!!!!

Not that I see an issue with it. What’s inappropriate about my thighs?

The more of OP's posts I read, the more I am starting to feel sympathetic to the manager

Lordofthebantams · Today 22:35

No tits, bits or pits at work.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · Today 22:40

polarbert · Yesterday 17:26

So any clothing which leaves you with bare shoulders is beachwear? I genuinely don't understand why bare shoulders, specifically, are inappropriate.

They're inappropriate in the OP's case because the applicable dress code states as much (rather than just the manager)

Pigtailsandall · Today 22:41

Washingupdone · Today 18:40

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.

Yeah, times have probably moved on just a tad since 1976. It's an odd quirk of older women; I've suffered, therefore you must now too!

Lavenderblue11 · Today 22:45

itsjustthepricewepay · Yesterday 13:34

I don’t agree that they always look awful. I have a lovely vest that is basically a t-shirt with the sleeves cut off

That doesn't sound very work-wear ish though, it might be alright for a rock concert..

Lavenderblue11 · Today 22:48

It sounds like people have been rolling up to work looking like they're off to the beach and the manager has had to put her foot down. They probably looked unprofessional and scruffy, you can't blame her for bringing in some rules/expectations..

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · Today 22:48

itsjustthepricewepay · Yesterday 17:44

Do looks matter more than getting the work done, and well?

What’s more important?

Do you get the work done, and well? What does your manager say about your work and behaviours?

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · Today 22:50

SpidersAreShitheads · Yesterday 17:48

I agree with this.

Every place I’ve worked we had a dress code that we were expected to stick to which was pretty much along the lines posted by OP.

And that’s for the reasons that PP have said - once one person wears a vest, then you get another person wearing a skimpier vest and then you get into stupid arguments about what level of vest is ok. It’s clearer to have a blanket ban so there’s no ambiguity.

OP, you already asked what’s wrong with showing your thighs at work or your armpit hair. You’ve taken it really personally as if it’s your body that’s somehow the issue. It’s everyone’s body - lots of places have a dress code for a variety of reasons. Clothes that flash thighs or armpit hair - on men or women - has never been viewed as suitable attire for a professional workplace.

It just reminds me of the “bring your whole self to work” mantra that’s become so popular. I don’t need or want to know everyone’s whole self, just their professional self. And along those lines, you can’t just wear what you want because you like it. Working clothes should be reasonably professional even if you’re not customer-facing, unless your dress code explicitly permits its casual attire.

If your workplace is hot then lobby for more fans, shades, or other things that will make a tangible difference to your comfort. As PP have pointed out, in hot countries people don’t wear less to stay cool, they wear loose, flowing clothes. Win win for both employer and employees, surely?!

💯

Pigtailsandall · Today 22:55

I've been following this thread since the start and the emerging themes make me depressed for women.

  • I don't want my wobbly arms/knobbly knees/thick ankles on display (lack of confidence and focus on percieved negatives. Just wear what you like. We are all imperfect)
  • You should look presentable and elegant over comfortable (whose standards and gaze are we trying to please? Does it affect our ability to do our job - no)
  • in my days we had it even harder (well, I'm hoping you'd want the next generation to have it easier, right? Otherwise, what is the literal point of anything?)
  • constant policing of other women's style choices (just don't look at an arm pit if it offends you)
  • focusing on OPs clothes rather thsn the real issue of her sub-standard office conditions which is really what should be the cause for outrage.

Sometimes sll of this just makes me sad.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · Today 23:19

MidnightMeltdown · Yesterday 18:24

Seems a bit extreme, but I except that it’s down to a few people taking the piss. Ridiculous that adults need to be told how to dress, but some people are totally clueless when it comes to understanding what’s appropriate in the workplace.

It's fairly obvious from the picture OP has been posting, and her description of what she thinks is appropriate, that the last two lines of your post apply to the OP

RitaIncognita · Today 23:26

Pigtailsandall · Today 22:41

Yeah, times have probably moved on just a tad since 1976. It's an odd quirk of older women; I've suffered, therefore you must now too!

Not all older women. I celebrate the fact that I haven't worn tights (AKA pantyhose) since the Clinton administration. And I am quite happy that pantyhose wearing has pretty much died out totally, at least in the part of the US where I live.

Awfulinlaws · Today 23:27

itsjustthepricewepay · Yesterday 13:49

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

Is there a religious aspect from her? It sounds like a conservative catholic dress code.

Are men also included?

Surprisingly there is no law on max temperatures. I would have thought there would be restrictions above a certain limit. Still maybe worth raising working conditions.

https://www.gov.uk/workplace-temperatures

There’s no guidance for a maximum temperature limit.
Employers must stick to health and safety at work law, including:

  • keeping the temperature at a comfortable level
  • providing clean and fresh air
Employees should talk to their employer if the workplace temperature is not comfortable.

Workplace temperatures

There is no law for a minimum or maximum temperature, but during working hours the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings must be reasonable

https://www.gov.uk/workplace-temperatures

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · Today 23:27

Fizbosshoes · Yesterday 18:57

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.

"Im unsure why so many posters seem to think
Shorts =
beachwear/scruffy/hotpants/swimming trunks etc"

Perhaps because OP has posted pictures of PJ shorts which, whilst she hasn't worn to work, nevertheless thinks are appropriate work attire

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · Today 23:37

DaffodilLill · Yesterday 20:32

Just make sure you don't join an organisation with a dress code then.

🤣

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · Today 23:39

DaffodilLill · Yesterday 20:39

@NoCommentingFromNowOn My take on the thread is that most posters are supporting the OP apart from a few who either (like me) prefer a more formal dress code for work or b) have criticised her sewing skills.

Her AIBU was 70%= in her favour

That was probably in response to her (misleading) post title and without the 'benefit' or then having read all her posts

EddiesTies · Today 23:39

Awfulinlaws · Today 23:27

Is there a religious aspect from her? It sounds like a conservative catholic dress code.

Are men also included?

Surprisingly there is no law on max temperatures. I would have thought there would be restrictions above a certain limit. Still maybe worth raising working conditions.

https://www.gov.uk/workplace-temperatures

There’s no guidance for a maximum temperature limit.
Employers must stick to health and safety at work law, including:

  • keeping the temperature at a comfortable level
  • providing clean and fresh air
Employees should talk to their employer if the workplace temperature is not comfortable.

Oh FFS. I'm Catholic and there's no conservative Catholic dress code for work.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread