my job...dress code..?

Question

ok, here it is..i took this job which is great..i do hardly nothing and get paid. well, yesterday one of the ladies from our main store calls and said that they are changing some things and the dress code is one of those things. When I took the job and month ago, they told me that dress was casual and i could wear jeans, t-shirts, tennis and be comfortable. I just can't wear shorts, tank tops...etc. So, I took the job 50% because of that and 50% because of pay. Now they are saying no more jeans, t-shirts or tennis...we have to wear dresses or dress slacks. I have no dress pants...only have high heeled shoes for church...no loafers or nothing like that. And i am not going to wear dresses to work when I can't stand to wear them for 1 hour to church on sunday. Now I have to go buy more clothes and I really don't think this is fair.. We are going to have a conference call this morning and I am mad and don't know what I should say...Do you think this is right and what would you do?

Answer 1

People who dress for success usually act more professional than those who are dressed for a company picnic.

It is a necessary evil at times. I was in a similar situation, but I wanted to keep the job, bought a few pairs of dress pants and a three or four plain, pastel tops, 2 different color sweaters and 2 different color blazers. You can often mix and match the same 4 items to make it look like a different look. Go with skirts and blouses first. Then find some flattering, yet loose dresses to add to the wardrobe.

One investment that will be worth it's weight in gold is a single strand of pearls. Wearing pearls can turn an ogre into a princess - regardless of what she's wearing. Make sure the fabric is comfortable on your skin. That will help.

I now wear dresses even when I am gardening. Where I once lived in jeans, I don't even own or want a pair.

Answer 2

You "hardly do anything and get paid"... now you are moaning about dress. This is a good example of people taking whatever they have for granted and just wanting more.

Many people would be glad to have a job at all, let alone one where they don't have to do too much. Think about them for a moment. Don't take everything for granted.

So you have to buy five blouses, a couple of pairs of dress slacks and some dress pumps with 1 1/2" heels. Big deal. By all means ask if there is a clothing allowance, but if not and you are hard up, just get some clothes from a thrift shop or garage sale to get you started. It's hardly life threatening.

Answer 3

I hear you, I have been there, my old job tried to do that, with no success.
I just took a new job, and the dress code is strict, and they gave me less than a weeks notice about that I had to wear business casual to orientation. Who has business casual in their closet? We are nurses, and all of my orientation class, except me, were new grads, just out of school, all of them said they did not have the money to go buy something. And the kicker is, the very person we were told we had to dress up for, a Vice President, showed up in a skirt and jacket, and she took the jacket off to reveal a man style white t-shirt. Not business, or business casual. But she is a VP, she can wear anything she wants.
Businesses are wising up, they are finding out that the casual look does not promote sales, statistics show the customer wants the sales people to look and act professional, that the workers are serious about pleasing and keeping the customer.
So, you need to bottom line here. do you want to cooperate, or do you wish to go elsewhere? Because that might happen if you speak negatively, or, you might find you want to go. Just telling you, that it is a trend to be required to dress up for work, and if you leave and find another job, same thing might happen.
If you find that you are staying, buy a neutral pair of slacks, like black, that you can pair almost anything with, and no one will notice that you are wearing the same pants over and over. Buy a white blouse, same thing, people won't notice as much, and that is trendy right now, catalogues are full of white shirts and blouses. I even have one.
If you must speak out, say that some of the workers are having a little financial difficulties with the new rules, is there something that administration can do to help out? Bet the answer is not, right after they snort with laughter. There is always someone else out there that will take the job, and not cause trouble, a label you might acquire shortly after you ask your question.
Good luck with your decision.

Answer 4

Your employer has the right to set standards of dress. No doubt there are some people who won't like the new standards. It's your choice whether you want to stick around or not. It sounds like you have a pretty decent setup so I'd buck up and buy a couple of new outfits.

The one thing I'd recommend is asking if there's flexibility to the deadline at all to allow people time to purchase some new clothing. Explain that you don't have the wardrobe now to match and can't afford to buy 5 days+ worth of clothing all at once.

If you're a valued employee they should work with you.

But if you don't like the dress code, you can only decide to live by it or leave. It is absolutely fair of them to change the dress code but they should be reasonable about the timing of it. And maybe ask if you can have casual Fridays or casual dress during the summer. Something like that.

Answer 5

Due to the change of dress code, you are well within your rights to ask for a clothing allowance...but the company is well within its rights to tell you to go pound sand....which is EXACTLY what will probably happen.

See, regardless of whether or not it's "right" for your company to arbitrarily change its dress code, the reality of the situation is that the dress code was, in fact, changed...something that the company is well within its rights to do.

As far as what should you do? Well, you yourself said that your company pays you well to do essentially nothing. Are you REALLY willing to throw that away because you might have to wear slacks or a dress to work?

Really, you have two choices here. Either, 1) you suck it up and go buy yourself some dress slacks and shoes; or 2) you find another job where you can dress more comfortably.

One way or another, it's time you grow up and realize that life is not always "fair".

Answer 6

The corporate office wants the employees to look more professional. You have two choices. One would be to get yourself a few pairs of dress slacks, some dress flat shoes, and maybe a blazer that you could wear over your plain tshirts. The other would be to give your notice and look for another job. It depends on how strongly you feel about this. Most places do have a dress code of some sort, so perhaps if the job is good for you, you could stay within the guidelines.

Answer 7

Try to get together with some other employees and see how they feel. Were some abusing the dress code by wearing jeans that were 5 sizes too big and over-sized, sloppy shirts? See if there can be some sort of compromise on the situation.

I know, it sucks, some places want you to dress like you make $50,000 s year, but you are lucky if they will actually pay half that.

Answer 8

Since you are new, do you want to rock the boat? They probably were thinking about changing the rules long before you came along. If you can't take the change, find a new job. But if the job is worth it, dress for success. Management might notice somebody dressed nicely than somebody in jeans and a t-shirt.

Answer 9

I would first check to see if there is a written dress code for your work. If there is and you had to sign it..you are stuck. If you want to take it to your employer through a conference call...take the emotion out of it. Yes you are mad but do not let it show. Come accrossed as strong with your convictions. If that is what you were told...tell them that...!

I also would get emotional over things like this. People tend to listen more if you are calm and do not get emotional. Good luck and stay strong. Talk but professionally. If it is necessary for you to get other clothes. Explain your situation and tell them that you were not prepared for the dress code and ask for some time to develop that sort of wardrobe.

Answer 10

I feel your pain! I hate the fact of wearing dresses/skirts/suits. I love to be casual. But it is work.. and they have the right to change policy. Since they are having a conf call, makes it sound like they are willing to at least justify why and not just dictate.
I would ask the reason for the change, would it be possible for casual Fridays?
My job is pretty casual - and you'd be suprised at the dress pants now adays - very comfy. And if you don't want to or have the $$ to spend, goto discount stores.
Good luck