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!

There isn't, but with global warming, I wonder if they might have to introduce one.

I remember working in an office in London in the summer of 2003 that had no air-con. It was 87, although I found it got unbearable at 83 for work.

What about dresses? I have this on in the office right now. I'd not be changing anything.

Why is my armpit hair inappropriate?

Whilst I understand your frustration but long loose cotton trousers and tunics or loose long dresses are actually cooler than shorter clothes in my experience. I’ve been to very hot places (40c+) and surprisingly comfortable with the right clothing, I’m in a loose cotton dress today and it’s just fine (no air con)

On a more serious note:

I understand banning vest tops, tbh. But sleeveless blouses as well? I often wear loose trousers, a sleeveless or short sleeve top and put on a matching blazer when / if necessary.

We‘re luckily allowed to wear sandals but I usually stick to close toed leather shoes (in case I have to meet clients on short notice).

Hairstyle is important imo. A tight ponytail ends up looking greasy (and puts on too much tension) and loose hair doesn’t work for me when it’s hot. So I end up with braids / braided updos…

Honestly in this weather I wear lightweight full length dresses.

Yep I can’t think straight to do a proper job when it’s above 80.

@maddiemookins16mum. I’m wearing very similar, couple of inches longer and it’s perfect for a summers day in the office

Vests and shorts are generally inappropriate aside from very casual workplaces.

I would wear a t shirt or blouse with a knee/just past knee length skirt and see what she says.

I honestly thought there was a h&s directive that compelled employers to have an adequately temperatured work place. It's physically dangerous to work if it's too hot isn't it?

In an office etc. obviously welding, working in kitchens I guess maybe it's different? Idk what industry OP is in.

Yeah I was in the NHS ward for 5 weeks in the summer. They don't care how hot it is up there, they only care about the expensive machines in the basement!

That is absolutely ridiculous. I’ve worked in professional client facing roles all my life, and for at least the last decade knee length skirts and sleeveless tops in the summer have been perfectly appropriate. Things like this, for example, could not possibly be said to be inappropriate even in the very smartest setting. https://www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-sally-contrast-trim-shift-dress-navy-ivory/p113808334

What are the men wearing? If they are still expected to dress in shirts / trousers / chinos I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say to the women they are still expected to be reasonably covered - no sleeveless tops or above knee shorts and skirts is a fairly easy standard to follow. Still gives you plenty of cooler options - even though everyone is still dressed reasonably smartly in my office today the women look far cooler and happier in their dresses! Most have turned up in midi length shirt dresses or similar and bare legs, my boss looks lovely in smart tailored capri pants and a shirt.

Presumably someone has dressed completely inappropriately and has spoilt it for everyone I'm with her on the vest tops and shorts though. Skirts is ridiculous. But you will be cooler in a light dress anyway than top and shorts.

Short sleeve blouse, linen trousers, a dress, fancy teeshirt with length under the knee

lucky for your manager it's not religiously mandated attire ....

I am not in a customer facing role however our office dress code is

No bare shoulders
No offensive writing on clothing
Any footwear without ankle support such as crocs UGGs sliders of flipflops
No jeans
No trainers
No Hoodies
No sportswear or tracksuits
Any clothing that is too revealing

That pretty much fits within yours managers comments bar the skirt length being specified

I think it is a pretty standard dress code and I dont find it hard to dress for even when hot.

In my previous job I had complaints over wearing a dress like this
Ria Print Jersey Shirt Dress in PINK PRINT | White Stuff https://share.google/YEXtRw6CTuhcnbooL

Apparently it was too revealing (the one I had on was a round cut neck line no buttons) and too short..... I ignored that however boss was outraged over the complaint and made anpoint out of wearing something sinilar next time she came on a site visit.

Some ludicrous responses on this thread.

It astonishes me how many Mumsnetters have astonishingly outdated views about what is 'appropriate' and 'professional' in the average office.

In most offices, nobody gives a flying fuck if they see a woman's shoulders. I'm 50 and in my 28 years of working in offices, I've never worked anywhere that banned sleeveless tops. Even in my first job, which was the most formal place I've ever worked, we wore sleeveless tops and had bare legs with skirts in summer. My colleagues and I wore tailored 'city shorts' to the office when they were fashionable about 20 years ago without so much as a raised eyebrow.

It also stuns me how many Mumsnetters seem to think that just because they're repulsed by the mere hint of a bare human limb, that somehow means everyone has to dress like they're extras in The Handmaid's Tale to spare them their physical nausea at the sight of an armpit or something.

OP, your boss is a complete arsehole.

What expensive machines..? And you don't think the staff would have the ward at a more comfortable temperature if it was in their power? Anyway, no there isn't a H&S directive. Why would it be physically dangerous to work in an office at X degrees but not to work in welding?

I also loved a city short - they are smart and work appropriate especially when styled as such - however a knee length tailored short is worlds different to Jennifer turning up in denim cut offs or Dave man - spreading in his baggy cargo shorts. Perhaps the blanket rule is to make it easier to police if people have taken the piss in the past, “no shorts,” is clearer than “those shorts look acceptable, those don’t.”

There are shorts and shorts. In some airplane magazine ages ago I saw adverts for some offshore services - either BVI or Caymans or suchlike. The model there, a man advertising the services, was wearing a smart suit with shorts, both khaki coloured and long socks with Barker shoes or similar. The shorts were not casual, they had amazing creases on them. He also wore a colonial casque hat or whatever it is called, also khaki.

Well no, but with the best will in the world, it's obvious from the photo OP posted that this isn't how the staff are dressing. If people wore dark colours, formal fabrics (obviously not in this weather), smart outfits, the manager probably wouldn't have said anything. Turning up to work in something that looks like pyjamas isn't ideal. There are definitely options that are both cool and smart.

That's really nice.
Obviously someone has been dressing for the beach, 😂. Did someone turn up in cut off shorts, op?

Yeah of course I think the staff would have it comfortable if it was in their power? Why do you think I'm attacking the NHS? And yes they do have expensive machines in the hospital and servers that need to be kept cool.

Sorry if I was wrong about the heat regulation h&s thing.

Jakers maximum temperature for workers in Spain is 27cm. Our government are really dragging their heels

"UK should set maximum working temperature rules, advisers say - BBC News" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2p1j4y0kro

Again I don’t see anything wrong with this top myself, I think it would be fine for work?