sleeveless top at work offensive? (IN ENGLAND)?

Question

someone tried tellin me i shouldnt wear sleeveless top as it might "offend" someoneorother at work. i say ssshhhhhh and if theyre that offendedthey should go home, where theres no shoulders to be seen. i think its ridiculous and its going way too far. what do u think

it wasnt my boss that said it, and it was cos there were some indian or muslim people in that evening

Answer 1

You didn't say what kind of workplace this is. If it is an office, I think a certain level of professionalism in your appearance is reasonable to expect. The boss paying your salary has a right to expect you to represent the company appropriately while you're at work.

If, however, it is an informal work environment and the only reason to cover up is that Muslims might object, then that is silly. It's like the council office that banned staff from decorating their desks with Winnie the Pooh and Piglet as a pig would offend Muslims! Who is the majority here?

Answer 2

First, this isn't a question and yahoo answers is for, well questions! They have made it so easy and almost even fun now to report idiots that can't seem to read or they would have understood that this was a question/answer site not a place to just vent and go on and on about themselves!

Second, it is not modest to wear sleeveless shirts.

Third, forget offending someone, think of how very unprofessional you look. Where is it going to take you in the office dressing like a teenager that doesn't take the job seriously?

Answer 3

I think the idea that sleeveless tops are offensive is moderately ludicrous - if there's a dress code, you should follow it by all means, but if not, then there's not and I believe the work environment should be a genuine compromise for all so that everyone can get on with their job. However, I would say that your comment about them "going home, where there's no shoulders to be seen" is pretty offensive and could cause you disciplinary issues were it to be pursued by management.

Answer 4

1: Your boss didn't say this to you? If the person who said it has no authority, you should tell them to keep their opinion to themselves. If they get angry or offended, just put up your hand and say "No thank you, not interested." and walk away.

2: In case a Muslim gets offended? I know some Muslims actually, and they would frown upon the 'You must do this to appease my beliefs.'-type attitude. If a Muslim person objects to your dress sense, they are just trying to use Islam as a justification for being a d*ck.

So long as you cover your top covers your cleavage and back and is at least business-smart (button blouse or tidy & modest tank top) then I don't see the problem. This colleague of yours, maybe best avoid them in future if you can.

Answer 5

no it isn't. People are being ridiculous. If someone in their 50's wore one, nothing would get said (to their face anyway). Ignore them, you can wear whatever you like.

If someone is offended then they have the problem not you. I'd wear them all the more.

It's like when Dudley Council banned any item that was a pig, this included a toy piglet from Winnie the pooh, pig calendars and such like as they thought it would cause offence to Muslims! crazy!!! It turned out that the Muslims were not offended by stuffed toys and calendar and it was the PC brigade going mad again!

Answer 6

Depends on what the Company dress code is and what the job is - sleeveless tops are considered as 'casual' dress and when dealing with the public, a more formal dress is considered most suitable. Also in an office environment sleeveless, casual dress can be considered as a come-on and falls into the sexual harassment category and this is not taking any religious considerations into account.

Answer 7

It should not matter if anyone is "fat or ugly" why shouldn't they be allowed to wear sleeveless tops,and if anyone is offended by your bare arms then that is too bad, its mostly stupid people who think they can read the minds of Muslims and think they know what offends them and it usually turns out the person who is supposed to be offended usually couldn't care less

Answer 8

It deepend on how deep the arm hole are. Nothing that shows a bra, or the skin under the bra should be worn. Their are some very stylish sleeveless top that are made just for the office. Since they don't like sleeveless they may not like the way they look in them. And if you do wear a sleeveless top. Shave.

Answer 9

I work in an office that insists all men must wear shirt and tie, while the women can wear just about what they want.
Perhaps your boss is trying to set some standards to match the men.
I don't mind having to wear a tie, just as long as the women do too.

Answer 10

Here is anothe example of the trend today of people thinking that whatever they want to do they should be allowed to. If there is a dress code then it should be observed. The same goes for uniforms at school.