Dress Code Change

[BikeMan22]

We have a written old-school style dress code at the offices where I work. By old-school I mean things like male staff members are expected to wear a collared shirt and plain tie, female members of staff have similar rules to abide by.

The thing is that although it is a written dress code, it hasn't been enforced at all in recent years so we have been able to dress quite casually. This is because the manager who has just retired did not enforce any of it. I will admit that he was very lax and far too lenient in the way he managed. We now have a new manager, she is young and very enthusiastic but this is her first manager role. I don't at all mean to put her down because of this, credit to her for making it into management.

She has told us about some changes she will be making and a thing she wants to make an immediate change to is the dress code and to enforce this as the written dress code states. She has given a three week period of grace for us to make changes where she says she will be reminding anyone she sees not complying that after the graced period she will then be enforcing it as written.

She has made it clear that once the grace period is over, if she sees anyone not complying with what is written she will discipline them. I'm one of the older guys in the office and have never had any disciplinary issues at work. Though from what she says, if I'm seen for something like not wearing a tie, I'll be disciplined.

I'm not thinking of changing jobs over this, I'll just go with it but it really seems like going from one extreme to another. Do you think she is going about this harshly and should show some leniency rather than working to the letter or do you feel this is justified?

[Hopkirk]

Perhaps all the men should turn up without ties one day.

[lankeela]

It is why I love Zelensky - always smart in his green military style tee shirt - what is a tie for anyway? Old fashioned and outdated - never see Simon Cowell wearing one and he seems to have done ok in business. Even postmen can wear shorts. I would be getting everyone together to stand up to this new person and let her know she is not going to start changing things just to show she can.

[BikeMan22]

MissTerious2, I work in an office that is not customer facing though there are other staff who do, I know that what is written in the dress code states that the rules apply to ALL staff which I can only think that was originally put in because they perhaps felt it would be fair to have this across the board and easier for them to manage.

Around your PS about finding female managers the worst to work for as they seem to delight in having power, this manager is the the first female manager I have worked under. I don't want to make a judgement on her for this issue, though she has made it very clear that if anyone is seen not complying after the grace period she is allowing, we will be disciplined. I would say that is using her power but if we are not following rules I guess she does have the right to do that. I think only time will tell how good or bad a manager she is.

[BikeMan22]

Lankeela, very good comparisons, lol.

[BikeMan22]

Interesting suggestion Hopkirk, lol.

[roopower]

I know I'm old fashioned but I like dress codes. In my opinion things have got very lax when you look at some of the presenters on tv , teachers in schools, medical staff in hospitals. The matrons would turn in their graves to see some of it!

[Zacs-Master]

She sounds like she’s trying to make her mark on the company but in a very old fashioned and quite draconian way. I’d be suggesting that she put it to a vote rather than being dictatorial.

[lankeela]

Maybe turn this round - as a customer would you expect staff to be wearing a tie/adhere to a strict dress code? Certainly wouldn't bother me as long as they were clean and tidy.

[roadman]

if you want to protest then i suggest do it with the tie but make the tie non plain like with a funky pattern or something subtle revolution

[roadman]

zacsmaster if you want my honest opinion is sounds like she wants to work in an environment where people dress fancy for their mundane job and it is probably because she got the idea from tv maybe the office or suits or something but this is 2023 do we want to be subjected to dress codes where does it end what colour glasses i am allowed give over

[BikeMan22]

roopower, I appreciate your view that you like dress codes and prefer smart dress. I am one of the older guys in our office and I have previously worked for managers who were strict over dress codes and dealt with staff who were seen not complying.

Our new manager is taking a very strict approach to make sure everyone adheres to the dress code as she has made it clear that if she sees anyone not complying (such as not wearing a tie) she will discipline them.

A purely hypothetical question for you, as you like dress codes and feel that that they have become too lax, do you feel that our manager is justified to discipline any staff who are seen not complying after the grace period she is allowing?

[BikeMan22]

roadman, one thought that did come to me is that as she is a new manager, this may have been put to her by higher management because they want to see an improvement on what the previous manager let go and she may just be carrying out their instructions.

[Ellipsis]

The world changes. Rather than reinforcing an old, disused dress code that was put in place by a now-retired manager, this would be a good opportunity for the new manager to assess the needs of the office now and get the dress code to match. Even if it is still the same, it would be good for that to be an assessment rather than just dogma.

Some of the problems with dogmatic enforcement will be:
* cost - buying new clothes within 3 weeks
* unhappiness - which can impact productivity and, ultimately ...
* leaving - good people leaving the business to work for somebody more reasonable.

[BikeMan22]

Ellipsis, the company have actually offered to contribute towards the cost of new clothing any member of staff needs to buy, though I'm completely with you on your other points.

[douglas9401]

It seems that a dress code is better than clothing by committee, one rule for all and a clearly marked exit if it doesn't, errrr, suit.

[BikeMan22]

douglas9401, our dress code is across the board but just hasn't been enforced until now. I saw your previous comment and I think I will just have to go with wearing the tie for now and take the wages as you suggest!

[THECORBYLOON]

"do you feel that our manager is justified to discipline any staff who are seen not complying after the grace period she is allowing?"

You said the previous manager was easie-osie which is great when that's to your advantage but frustrating when you're wanting him or her get something done.

Having given a period of three week to comply, she would not look good if no warnings were given to to those failing to comply.

[roadman]

good luck to you bikeman22 did they tell you where you must wear the tie maybe wear the tie but as a belt that would get them good

[BikeMan22]

roadman, nice suggestion, she said we must wear a tie but I don't recall her saying how we have to wear it! lol.

[BikeMan22]

THECORBYLOON, those are fair comments you make, with the previous manager there were a number of occasions I can recall where I went out of my way and did things he should have been doing and it was indeed frustrating.

I guess we can't have it always, so as long as I go with this and abide my this managers rules, I shouldn't find myself being subject to any disciplinary action she takes.