Dress code at work, double standards?

[Freak12345]

Yesterday it was over 30 degrees and I made a mistake, I wore shorts with a blazer but the shorts were tailored and not skimpy hotpants/daisy Duke shorts or anything at all, slightly longer.

Anyway I got pulled into the manager's office and told to not wear them again, which fair enough I understand and I won't.

I was told the code is 'smart casual' however noticed the manager who told me off was in flip flops.

Later noticed the assistant manager had slippers on- well those fluffy slip on slipper-type things, and another staff member was in tracksuit bottoms?

I don't see any of those as smart-casual any more than tailored shorts, maybe they were all told off separately but I'm not sure, just seemed a bit off?

I hate seeing bare legs at work. Flip flops are grim too though. Just wear long linens.

The policy should specify what's not ok. Our is smart casual and specifically excludes shorts, vest tops and t shirts with logos, as an example.
Flip flops in the office is not remotely smart, just fully casual, so I think that's double standards.

You should respectfully, but firmly ask why tailored shorts don't fit the dress code, but flip flops and tracksuits do, just so you know the expectation going forward.

When the manager interviewed me she had a vest on and some sort of khaki trousers and the flip flops again! I'd understand if it were formal business wear but definitely doesn't seem to be the case.

The last couple of days I've worn smart dresses of the same length with a blazer and nothing was said.

Multiple women wear vests, someone's come in a jumpsuit today which is sleeveless. I was never given a dress code policy so need to ask for one

Yes, I'd be very surprised that a smart casual dress code allowed flip flops. You should ask for a copy of the policy.

IME the outcome will be a tightening up of the rules for everyone, at least for a time, so in the real world, it depends if you want to be responsible for that.

Definitely ask! If they have a policy it needs to be very specific. I can't see any difference between tailored shorts and a knee length dress or skirt.

I sounds like made up rules...

I would question why tailored shorts are an issue when there are people in flip flops, tracksuits or vest tops.

Ask to see a copy of the policy this is based on.

Were the shorts shorter than the blazer?

I have seen some very short tailored shorts that are more appropriate for a night out so may be imagining the wrong thing here.

It does sound hypocritical if tracksuits and flip flops are allowed though.

Unless there’s a drip feed - like you have massive tattoos of penises and hate speech all over your legs - then this is ridiculous double standards.

They are the same sort of length as cycling short type shorts, definitely not hot pants or anything like that. It has put me off a bit

Ask what "smart casual " actually means, ask for specific clarification on dress code because flip flops and joggers don't seem smart casual.
As for your shorts ,what length were they?
Bermuda length tailored shorts should be fine,shorts shorts not so much.

I personally wouldn’t wear short that didnt come to the knee, but used to wear those when I worked somewhere hot. Lots of hot countries will have people wearing longer shorts like that. I think sleeveless is more of a problem if you are looking at armpits and bra straps, and flip flops at work are a big no no, unless the vibe is really casual. Sounds like your ‘dress code’ is made up as it goes along, based on what your manager likes to wear.

One of the women I work with was pulled for wearing shorts. She's quite statuesque, trim figure and has lovely long legs. They were tailored shorts with turn ups in a sand colour. With her white blouse and sandals, she looked fab.

I think it was jealousy as the manager who pulled her is short and squat and partial to billowing linen style dresses - a bit too Stevie Nicks, white witch look for my tastes.

It seems different people have different ideas about what looking 'professional' means.

oh dear! LEGS! what next?

Innit. So legs in a skirt, fine. Legs in shorts, not fine? Seems to be what they are saying. If your not in your probationary period OP, tell them in a polite sarcastic manner to get fucked.

Well, if it’s good enough for a Foreign Minister on tour …

https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/julie-bishop-makes-a-bold-fashion-statement-in-a-pair-of-shorts/news-story/ec2da693a431f2a95c5fed1928749f3c

I find dress codes apply to some and not others.

If they were all in suits I'd understand. But the manager interviewed me as I say in a vest, khaki pants and flip flops.

I worked for a boss (headteacher) who had the issue of managing appropriate staff clothing as soon as it turned warm every year.

The problem she found was that the answer isn't the same for everyone. A short skirt doesn't look as inappropriate on a slim tanned woman as it does on someone heavier. A low cut top is different on a flat chested woman to a busty one. Leggings 'felt' like a problem on sone people but not on others, either because or their build or the way they wore them. Even flip flops are not all made equal, a sturdy good quality pair might be OK in situations were a worn down beach type pair are not.

She wanted people to be comfortable so tried to accomodate but she never did find an answer.

Are men allowed to wear shorts? They may just be on the prohibited list and they can't make an exception for a woman.

I've seen the male operations manager in shorts yes , slightly longer but still

So legs in a skirt, fine. Legs in shorts, not fine? Seems to be what they are saying
Yes, it's very confused/confusing. Definitely ask for a copy of the dress code policy.

What on earth is wrong with armpits?

Bra straps are part of underwear, so I kind of get that, but finding armpits unacceptable is just weird imo.