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!

It’s fine. It would look a bit too casual for my office, people have worn sleeveless but more the tailored style that was linked earlier in the thread, not tshirt material. A sleeveless smart blouse not a vest top / sleeveless tee

Wherever I have worked, vest type tops were not acceptable and skirts were expected to be midi length unless worn with tights. There are plenty of options with this coverage.

I think the top is fine but not sure about the trousers for work OP? They look like what I would call holiday wear = very casual. In my last job I wasn't client facing and there was no dress code. I could (and did) wear jeans in the winter. In the summer it would be plain linen trousers (not cut offs because they make short people like me look even shorter) or very occasionally a dress with short sleeves. I never get the tops of my arms out (I don't own any sleeveless garments) and I don't think I suffer more with the heat because of this. Those few inches of fabric aren't going to make a difference.

Work does need a certain standard but some of OP's manager ideas seem a bot ott
I can imagine some posters on here are pretty much buttoned up where ever they are be it the beach, casual or evening. Don't like thin strap t shirts, certain dresses ?
What is wrong with [whispers] arm pits?
I don't want to see anyone's arse cheeks dropping out of their Daisy Dukes anywhere but I go with the live and let live.
Today I'm wearing a cotton dress, thin straps and low cut neckline. Shaven arm pits and bare legs -I'm a slattern by MN standards.😁

That's absolutely fine, you're not even showing your shoulders.

Crack on, and if your manager complains, ask them to explain specifically what it is about your clothes that are inappropriate. Then forward to HR, and ask them to send you a copy of the dress code policy, as you're confused.

Your manager sounds like a bully.

My last office we weren’t allowed
strappy tops or dresses
shorts
open toe shoes

dresses and skirts fine though and above the knee

Yeah this picture is from the weekend, they were shorts. But im wearing striped trousers today!

Shorts and vests just aren’t office attire, for men or women. Banning knee length skirts is weird, though.

Given you’re not client facing then no, I see nothing inappropriate about it. It’s certainly not smart, but adding an extra two inches of sleeve isn’t going to change that!

Standard corporate wear. Before covid, no one would have batted an eye at this. Now, everyone is shocked we aren't supposed to mince around in our pants, anymore.

Why? Do you have smelly arm pits?Do you think every one must too?

mine are waxed monthly, I shower at least once a day & use Dove advanced care ( the dark blue lid) and it keeps me totally fresh.

if I ever forget the deodorant it's a different story.

I don't wear vest tops without a shirt over the top, but that's because of some alarming scaring (and now bingo wings!) but nothing to do with my arm pits?!?!

Have you actually been told that you can't wear that top Op?

I wouldn't call that a vest top.

Looks like a sleeveless blouse to me.

I agree.
When I managed a large countywide charity the dress code was shoulders and above knee level covered.. I had a male employee who thought showing his hairy torso wearing a vest top with running shorts was appropriate. It definitely wasn’t.
I also provided deodorant and body wipes in the toilets and made sure everyone had cold drinks etc.
I would wear midi or maxi, short sleeve dresses or wide leg linen trousers with a short sleeve top.
Sandals were allowed.

Are you in a unionised workplace? If so, the reps should be raising this as a H&S issue, especially as there is no front-facing need for it. If not, is there a senior manager above your immediate one that you could collectively make a plea to? It's so unseasonably hot and if the company is not making provisions to keep the office at a reasonable working temperature, they should allow people to self-regulate via clothing.

The shirt is fine.

I'm working from home in a bikini and just keep pulling on a floaty shirt for calls on cam.

Me too, we have no air con in our stuffy office and sky light windows which let the sun in but no air flow.

can you wear a light cover up over a vest?

I would leave any job where the manager was so controlling. If you’re not public facing in the heatwave she should be encouraging you to dress for comfort, within reason (public decency). But the replies show how stuck in a corporate mindset people are.

Knees being seen when your sitting is an issue??

I think 1950 is calling for you.

Not getting it OP. proper linen trousers are cooler than shorts. Wear natural fabrics and buy a hand held old fashioned paper fan.

Shorts, vests, mini skirts and flip flops I would understand.

But regular skirts? I don't see anything wrong with that.

Also does this banning of certain clothes only applies to female employees or have men also been issued with similar requirements?

any vest top is not appropriate in the workplace. No one wants to see armpits

@itsjustthepricewepay

HR

you work for the NHS not her little tin pot dictatorship.

This woman is enforcing her own cultural or religious beliefs on your department & needs shoving back in her box!

I would make a complaint to Health & Safety and HR.

Personally I would like to see it a legal requirement that if employers have either a dress code or staff uniform there should be a proper Health & Safety assessment

Then you don’t have to work. Check NHS health and safety working guidelines. They can’t make you work like that!

I’d just wear a maxi dress?