Dresscode in the Office - What's your opinion?

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"


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 ?

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.

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.

So I walked home that day to get changed.

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.


Who's laughing now!

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 ?

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

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.

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

Originally Posted by mumstoy

if I get up late I work in my jim jams

Proof in the way of pictures please.

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

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.