Dresscode in the Office - What's your opinion?

[SpankyHam]

I had a big row this morning with my office manager.

Now first to the "behind the scenes bit"

It's getting 27 degrees C in the Office at the moment and we don't have an AC.

Our Staff Manual states. Shorts, trainers are not permitted. Casual clothes are acceptable.

Now I spoke to my Supervisor about this & he gave me the go to wear casual shorts.


I walked in this morning wearing Casual 3/4 Shorts, shirt & leather shoes.

As soon as I walked in I got a right bollo**ing about what I'm wearing. The Office manager was shouting at me like ****.
Calmly I told him to read the Staff manual & that I already spoke to my supervisor about this and got the OK.

Still shouting he said it's completely out of order & can never happen again.


I've never been spoken to in such an unprofessional manner. I went to my desk & got the Company Owner on the phone, telling him the story.

20 mins later. The office manager came to me and apologized & stating that I am now allowed to wear "shorts" :lol:


I'm just the IT Guy in the Office. I don't see any clients. So there is no need for me tho wear a suit & the like.

What are your thoughts on this ?

[DanDare]

I had a similar experince with my old firm.

They had a dress code for work which said no trainers, Jeans, shorts or t-shirts during work hours. However every Friday was dress down day.

My then HR Manager told me to go home and changed as I was wearing shorts.
I pointed out that everyone else was in Jeans, Trainers and T-shirts and that it was one rule for one and one for another. :shock: :evil: :evil:

She said that the Manual had been re-written. I letter proved that it hadn't and pointed this out to my HR Manager and Line Manager. This of course got their backs up and I was told not to argue or it would end in a disaplinery. :x :x :x :x

So I walked home that day to get changed. 8)

4 hours I was gone for despite only living a mile and half away.

It was a beautiful day and I went for a special pub garden lunch with some friends.
8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

Who's laughing now! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Marshall]

I work for the MOD and can generaly get away with wearing anything, as long as its not too tatty or rude/abusive. Shorts though have to be tailored, which i think means i cant come to work and guiloteen the botton of my jeans off if it gets hot!!

[fizzwheel]

I think that your office manager is a tw*t. Shouting at you isnt going to get him / her anywhere. Why didnt he / she go and check with your supervisor instead of behaving like that.

Have you had issues with your Office manager before ?

[james160987]

had the same the other day, store mabager asked me to tie my hair up cuase it was scruffy, so i did, next day i brushed and got my girlfriend to straightn it, he asked me againt o tie it up to which i blatently refused under the gorunds he has female staff on the shop floor with hair down and mine is neat, so hes speaking to someone about it apparentloy, but ive also got a copy of the dress code which says long hair to be tied back where relevqant, ie round the timbersa,blindcutter etc

[Carsick]

I'll soon be starting back in the office of the company I've worked from home for 18 months now. Typically we don't bother wearing shoes when there and if we're not expecting any clients then I don't even bother changing out of leathers if I'm comfy.
I am expected to be moderately smart when clients come in, though.
I guess I'm lucky that I work for a couple of aging hippies who have no delusions that looking smart is necessary when there aren't other people to see it.

[ArtyLady]

I can wear what I like - cos I work from home - sometimes if I get up late I work in my jim jams :? :lol:

[Scoobs]

if I get up late I work in my jim jams :? :lol:

Proof in the way of pictures please.

[diamond]

I wear what i want cos it's usually covered by a lab coat or i'm in clean room clothing.

[lynw]

No dress code in my office.

When my managers manager was trying to sack me a few years back, once Id got into the position he couldnt without opening up a huge and very easy to prove compensation claim for unfair dismissal, Id go in wearing my Metallica/Iron Maiden etc t shirts.

Was worth it just to see his face and know he didnt approve but could do bugger all about it. Because when I was out on visits and dealing with the public I was suited up and dressed appropriately.

But whats more worrying is not their attitude, but how theyve behaved as Fizz pointed out. Theres no call for shouting at anyone in the office. Thats tantamount to harrassment and bullying, especially if done in front of your colleagues. :?

[SpankyHam]

I think that your office manager is a tw*t. Shouting at you isnt going to get him / her anywhere. Why didnt he / she go and check with your supervisor instead of behaving like that.

Have you had issues with your Office manager before ?

No never happened before. I used to have a very good work relationship with him before.

Now he is “superfriendly” to me, which is kind of awkward.

Might look for a new job as I'm still quite ****ed off.

We are only in May and the Office is 27 degrees. My colleague told me that it gets up to 36 degrees at summertime in the office.

[Mr Toad]

You're working with/for an ******** :evil:

Get a new job, preferably in a more relaxed sector, such as advertising or marketing :D

Do they have a go at you when you come in at 9:01 . . .

[Shinsei Jutsu]

I work in IT and we had a nice arguement that why should we have to come to work in suits if we are moving pcs and printers etc and crawling around our cables. So we put it to them that we would wear shirts, ties, trousers, shoes, if the company would pay for replacements when they get ruined. Strangely enough they said it was ok for us to wear smart casual instead, which is now jeans and t-shirts to most people :lol:

[ArtyLady]

if I get up late I work in my jim jams :? :lol:

Proof in the way of pictures please.

err not a pretty sight :shock: :lol: :lol:

[Nick762]

I've adopted a style that I term "office grunge."

From the floor up a slightly battered pair of desert boots, lightweight chinos, short sleeved shirt with a soft collar occasionally with a tie and a slightly loose linen jacket (NOT in the Miami Vice mould) also with loads of pockets. It nominally fulfils most dress codes, is functional and comfortable but at the same time makes management think that there is something not quite right that they can't put their finger on it.

In my book, the only reason for wearing any suit type jacket is to have somewhere to put all your pockets.

[Balky001]

we have an absurdly strict dress code. Monday to Thursday its buisness attire, suit and tie, Friday its dress down - but the rules are so strict most people wear City casual - chino's and long sleeved shirt. There was a large debate which went on for several months (between people earning £100k's a year) as to whether shirts could be untucked if tailored to be worn outside the trouser. Tried is for a few months but was banned as clients who may visit the office may not approve. That said, you can still spot IT a mile off. :lol:

[sharriso74]

I work in IT and we had a nice arguement that why should we have to come to work in suits if we are moving pcs and printers etc and crawling around our cables. So we put it to them that we would wear shirts, ties, trousers, shoes, if the company would pay for replacements when they get ruined. Strangely enough they said it was ok for us to wear smart casual instead, which is now jeans and t-shirts to most people :lol:

Tried that one with a company I used to work for. Their solution get a load of those paper overalls the ones the forensic people wear. And told us to wear those if we didnt want to ruin our suits.

[Ceri JC]

I work in IT and we had a nice arguement that why should we have to come to work in suits if we are moving pcs and printers etc and crawling around our cables. So we put it to them that we would wear shirts, ties, trousers, shoes, if the company would pay for replacements when they get ruined. Strangely enough they said it was ok for us to wear smart casual instead, which is now jeans and t-shirts to most people :lol:

One of our lads got a bollocking when he tried putting a dry cleaning bill of a couple of hundred pound through expenses. To be fair he had 6/7 suits that had only been used for work and were absolutely hanging and none of them were machine washable.

I have no problem wearing a suit when I'm meeting the client about business, or will be sat in front of a machine working at the mouse or keyboard. I do object to being expected to wear a suit and tie when I'm literally on all fours in a crawl space that has never been vaccumed, fitting another power supply. Perhaps I'm just unreasonable? :lol:

The analogy I always use is that electricians work in a similar environment/manner and you expect them to be, at best, wearing a polo shirt, black jeans and black work shoes/boots. Our dress code in the office is smart casual, but if it's hot, I ignore that and wear whatever's comfortable. No one has ever pulled me up on it.
The idea that you're somehow going to work better when you're close to passing out (metal building + no aircon + shirt and tie = far too hot), rather than in shorts and t-shirt, simply because you're "smarter" is draconian, not to mention insane. :)

[rwoodcock01]

Dress code,

ah yes, something I have ever been to fond off. On rare occassions I see high end clients I wear a suit, and its rare for me to do so. Normally black jeans, boots and t-shirt or black polo shirt. I still have a four day beard that I will shave off tonight.

I have had the odd complaint, but I tend to stay out of the way being the IT guy, so its kinda expected for me to look a bit more causual than usual.

They all know I ride a bike, and I live no where near London so they cut me some slack.

As I discussed with my manager, you need me smat, let me know there is a dress code for that engagement, if not I will be causual and comfortable.

I am flexable, depends on the circumstances.

Rich

[Tara]

Smart dress in our office

[Viney]

Smart dress in our office

Ball Gown??

[Tara]

Smart dress in our office

Ball Gown??

yep and high heels too

[Viney]

Smart dress in our office

Ball Gown??

yep and high heels tooHmmmm heeeelllls :D

[Tara]

Smart dress in our office

Ball Gown??

yep and high heels tooHmmmm heeeelllls :D

love my high heels- hardly ever wear flats these days

[lukemillar]

We wear whatever we want - including if clients come in!

[Viney]

Smart dress in our office

Ball Gown??

yep and high heels tooHmmmm heeeelllls :D

love my high heels- hardly ever wear flats these days
Thast only 'cause youre short ;)

[Tara]

Thats also true V :lol:

[Anonymous]

Smart dress in our office

Ball Gown??

yep and high heels too

You work with Razor, do you? :wink:

[Tara]

Smart dress in our office

Ball Gown??

yep and high heels too

You work with Razor, do you? :wink:

:lol:

[northwind]

As long as I keep my face hidden at all times, I can wear what I want.

Anyone remember what the law is on temperatures in a place of work?

[Messie]

Try setting off the fire alarm - soon cools you down as I've just found out!

I work in Chelmsford too. Agreed the sun is making the inside quite hot. But it's our Year 11's last day and guess what, they set off the fire alarm. Again. For the third time this week. It really is a funny one that.

Anyway the wind round here is pretty gusty now and we've all cooled down considerably now!

[Marshall]

As long as I keep my face hidden at all times, I can wear what I want.

Anyone remember what the law is on temperatures in a place of work?

I know theres a minimum tempreture, but i dont think there is an offical maximum temp.

[mysteryjimbo]

No maximum temperture. But considerations for health and safety are to be made. Water, ventilation etc.

[minky]

As long as I keep my face hidden at all times, I can wear what I want.

Anyone remember what the law is on temperatures in a place of work?

There's a min but no max. They are to provide water etc though, factory/bakeries etc are different :)

Ours is smart casual but tbh I wish they were more formal :( Some of them here wear totally minging gear day in - day out and all night at the pub. Can lead to some nasty sights and smells.

Find it depressing somedays when you seem to live in the same gear, a dress code would mean I'd get changed when I get home and feel more in relax mode :)

Oh and I did suprise my 'then' boss when I got up and was wearing the trouser from my 2 piece suit and aplinestars LOL had a shirt and tie up top, his face was a picture :)

[Amanda M]

We can wear anything here. We're a bunch of scruffy feckers :lol:

[ArtyLady]

love my high heels- hardly ever wear flats these days

I have this image of you on your bike trying to change gear getting your heels caught ! :lol: :lol: :wink:

[Filipe M.]

No dress code around here at all, I guess just common sense. I try to dress smart casual if I'm meeting clients (which normally happens about twice a year), otherwise it's just plain casual. :)

[JakeRS]

I have to wear a nice uniform , black trousers, white shirt, minging Ashofrd Borough Council tie...

But then we're the only department who are face to face with customers... evryone else come in in smart clothes... and get dress down Friday too :(

[Anonymous]

Occasionally meet clients, when they drop in for meetings with my colleagues on ad-hoc basis.

We have a full suit dress code.

[Anonymous]

no dress code at work. can wear joggies, jeans etc but most of us wear tailored trousers and tops. i dont wear vest tops as kids always comment on my tattoo and older boys stare at my chest and keep dropping items and asking me to pick them up. :lol:

[Blue Flame]

Their is a casual dress code in the office that I work in occasionally (work from home mainly).

I was in two minds when casual dress became a feature in my company but I can't help thinking along the old school lines that, in the main, a casual dress approach leads to a casual approach to work !!

*sits back and awaits abuse*

[Dicky Ticker]

Min 13-16 and max 30 celcius but when approaching the upper limits cooling ,ventilation and coolwater is usually provided and in the lower thermal clothingi.e.cold store or open warehouse/outside


Patric ,I have a water cooled fan sitting in the garage doing nothing if you want to borrow it and **** him/her off completely

[Razor]

Smart dress in our office

Ball Gown??

yep and high heels too

You work with Razor, do you? :wink:

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:


Anyway, I don't wear heels. well not at work...

[northwind]

No maximum temperture. But considerations for health and safety are to be made. Water, ventilation etc.

Yup, just looked it up. Temperature has to be "resaonable" but that judgement's made on a case by case basis. Though interesting to note that what's resaonable for a bakery or furnace isn't what's reasonable for an office, sensible that.

[SpankyHam]

Min 13-16 and max 30 celcius but when approaching the upper limits cooling ,ventilation and coolwater is usually provided and in the lower thermal clothingi.e.cold store or open warehouse/outside


Patric ,I have a water cooled fan sitting in the garage doing nothing if you want to borrow it and p*ss him/her off completely

Mac have you got a link to the max 30 celcius law ?

Our office is above a CNC Engineering plant and under a metal roof.
It's Kind being in a toaster. :lol:

I'm so pi**ed off about the way he talked to me. On top of that he is now saying he didn't shout. So now it's his word vs mine.

I rather send the health&safety people on his a**.

[Razor]

Having opened a few new buildings lately, I've had to deal with some grumbles about temperature.

Grumpy office worker, "It's roasting in here, why is there no air conditioning?"

Me, "This office is naturally ventilated."

GOW, "Whaasat mean?"

Me, "Open a window and think cool thoughts..."

GOW, " *****U rated site censorship rules apply****!!"

[medwaysv]

i run a trade counter for a flooring suppliers,when i have no customers i sit in the office and take calls.
our M.D is an old fashioned g*t and all the men have to wear trousers , shirt and tie..the girls wear pretty much what they want.
trouble i have is i spend a lot of time in the warehouse picking customer orders ,i usually end up getting filthy.
ive tried pointing this out to the guvnor whos basicly saying tuff...your on the front line dealing with the customers...bearing in mind that 99.9% of my "clients" are scruffy carpet fitters (if anyone here does this for a living please take no offence :roll: )
ive tried pushing for the casuals but he wont have it
oh well :lol:

[Anonymous]

We can wear anything here. We're a bunch of scruffy feckers :lol:

Here as well. Shorts and t-shirts in summer and a shirt maybe if teaching medics (if they are lucky) :lol:
Ah.........freedom :lol:

Oh, except wednesdays when its 'nude day'.

[lynw]

Mac have you got a link to the max 30 celcius law ?

Our office is above a CNC Engineering plant and under a metal roof.
It's Kind being in a toaster. :lol:

I'm so pi**ed off about the way he talked to me. On top of that he is now saying he didn't shout. So now it's his word vs mine.

I rather send the health&safety people on his a**.

Take in a thermometer. And use camera on phone if you have one to record the temperature when it gets too hot.

The picture will record date/time taken if you need proof for h&s people. :D

[Richie]

We have a dress code, nuff said. :wink:

[anna]

we have a dress code and it is quite strict as we get clients coming into the office on a regular basis!

dress down days are reserved for very special occasions like Xmas and consist of allowing us to wear casual clothes so long as it isnt jeans or trainers!! :roll:

[Ed]

I wear whatever the mood takes. Clients aren't put off my a non-office shirt and chinos/jeans, most see it as a refreshing change from some boring lawyer in a M&S suit. Plus my haircut is way shorter than most, I've not had a client walk out on me yet. Surely it's what's between you ears that's most important, not your taste in ties.

And when I ride in, I leave my lid on view, it has started more than a few convos :D

[pingu]

Proven fact in our office that every dress down day results in a near 20% drop in productivity :lol:

I am the union chair for the office and support the dress code, instead we just organise charity dress down days :P

[ArtyLady]

Proven fact in our office that every dress down day results in a near 20% drop in productivity :lol:


That explains why i dont do much work - its those damn jim jams :roll: :lol: :wink:

[the_runt69]

As my Office is 24/7 earlies and lates monday to friday is smart casual ie men stuck in shirts and ties and women in what ever they want except denim, no trainers at all. nights and weekends wear what you want.
Although we have no contact with anyone (the only office in a open plan floor) the directors bring in MP's and other dignatarys during the day so cant really complain. at least they dont insist on suits

H

[iprideaux]

The idea of Dress Down Friday really ****es me off. If you can do your job in Friday clothes on Friday, then you can do your job in Friday clothes on any day of the week.

Mind you, I find the clothing thing quite usefull. I used to be an electronics engineer, and now I'm a unix/network engineer. In both environments, anyone scruffy probably knows what they're doing, anyone in a suit is probably too thick to tell the difference between their keyboard and the gas board.

[guyowen]

I wear me bling bling... trackies, cap (peaked!) i luk mint!

[lynw]

Proven fact in our office that every dress down day results in a near 20% drop in productivity :lol:

I am the union chair for the office and support the dress code, instead we just organise charity dress down days :P

Didnt productivity get linked to day of the week? Where apparently Tuesday was most productive and Monday/Fridays the least?

Seem to recall some serious survey on this recently reported. :wink: :D

[pingu]

Didnt productivity get linked to day of the week? Where apparently Tuesday was most productive and Monday/Fridays the least?


Probably true but our dress down days aren't always on friday :wink:

[Quiff Wichard]

i am self employed-
work from home!

so most days its me dressing gown !!!!