Employment Law Question???

[A1Mikey]

I work as an admin assistant. I do not see clients. I wore jeans to work today which is against the unofficical company dress code (because it is snowing and because it is christmas). My manager has asked to see me about it tomorrow. I already have a outstanding written warning for lateness. Can I be fired just for wearing jeans??? (already posted under jobs but should have been posted here - sorry). Help!!!

[MOUCHA]

You would get a final warning before dismissal (unless an employee had crossed the line of gross misconduct)

[factor-fiction]

Did you know it was against the dress code? I'm not sure of the relevance of Christmas.
How long have you worked there- if it's less than 12 months they could dismiss you (subject to payment of notice period).
Legally if you've been there over a year you might be able to make an issue of this but it will hardly help your career prospects,

[buildersmate]

The fact that you don't see clients is irrelevant - a dress code is a dress code.
This falls under the general heading of 'conduct' - which is one of about 6 potentially fair reasons for dismissal.
As Factor points out, this is unlikely to be regarded as such a poor standard of misconduct that it constitutes 'gross misconduct' which could result in your instant dismissal.
However you already have a warning for misconduct so it doesn't bode well. If your existing written warning just says 'written warning' on it, and not 'final written warning' on it, then you will probably end up with another written warning - which might in this case be a 'final written warning'. FWW means just that - do something again that is regarded as misconduct and you are likely to be dismissed.
None of the above is relevent if you do not have at least 12 months continuous service, in which case an employer can terminate the contract for virtually any reasons (apart from a small number that are regarded as automatically unfair).

[wiggal]

As much as I agree eith the answers that say that a dress code is a dress code, the company you work for sound a bit, well harsh!

Where I work we have all been in jeans since the snow, some people havent bothered turning up and those that have have been leaving early! They are just grateful we made the effort and arrived!
(Although we dont as much have managers any more and the company has gone into administration and so we dont have any shops left lol!)

[buildersmate]

Yes, I agree with that. I'm merely pointing out the legal side.
In mitigation (if hauled in for disciplinary interview) one should certainly make those points.

[Androcles]

Buildersmate is correct as usual. From an employee relations point of view, I would always suggest that if you want to do something outside the rules in such circumstances, it is always best to ask first - if it is alright in bad weather to come in in jeans etc. You can't re-write thec ompany rules just because you think it is OK. It would seem harsh to fire you for wearing jeans, given the weather, so my suggestion would be to apologise and say that you realise you should have asked before going ahead, and you won't do it again!

[saxy_jag]

Actually, jeans are about the worst clothing you can wear in wet and inclement weather. I'm allowed to wear (tidy) jeans for work, but snowy weather is about the one time I don't wear them. Once wet, denim becomes heavy and does not dry very quickly. That's why you never see experienced outdoor people wearing them. A cotton/polyester weave fabric, or maybe corderouy, is about the best fabric for such conditions. Not exactly high fashion, I know, but certainly more practical.

[Twenty20]

I really can't see what the wearing of jeans has got to do with snow or it being 'Christmas'?

If you happen to be more comfortable wearing jeans for traveling then bring spare clothes, perhaps in a rucksack, to change into.

As others have said, I would suggest that this will be a final written warning for you. It does make me wonder about people who care so little about being employed that they will risk being dismissed just for the sake of wearing jeans to work.