'New manager, new rules': Boss enforces unnecessary dress code, employee wears same ugly shirt in defiance

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jun 13, 2023 8:00 AM EDT

It's time to discuss unnecessary dress codes in the workplace. Of course, we understand rules surrounding inappropriate attire, but other than that, can't we all admit at this point that wearing a button-down shirt and nice pants in 80-degree weather is not going to make you more competent at your job? It certainly is not going to make the quality of your work any better. However, there are some folks in the workplace who simply cannot fathom the idea that a person in a T-shirt can possibly be a professional.

 

This thread was posted to Reddit's r/MaliciousCompliance subreddit by u/Philosopher_1234, who explained that after working in community mental health for approximately five years, a new boss came in and changed several policies, including the dress code. Keep scrolling below to see how people reacted in the comments section. For more stories like this, check out this post about an employee who discovered a camera in the office. 

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  • 01
    Sleeve - "New manager, new rules"
    via Hunters Race
  • 02
    Font - 4Ever2Thee 19 hr. ago A guy knew he was getting fired so he took in the trash can in a his cubicle. Nobody knew if he did it there or took it into the bathroom to in it, but he did it one way or another. He got called up to HR and was let go. Then the people working in his area started complaining about the smell and, sure enough, I found it in his little trash can. Then I called him to ask about it and he said it was an old burrito he forgot to throw out... it was not an old burrito he f
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 03
    Font - New manager, new rules. Ok boss S OC This happened a few years ago. I used to work in community based mental health. Which required me to go to people's homes, should, etc. I was almost never in office. Maybe 1-2 hours a week. The rest of the time I was at home or in the field. My car and couch were my office. Then I got a new manager.
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 04
    Font - First thing they tell me is I can't wear my flip flops anymore. Ok. Don't like it but ok. Then they say I have to be in office 2 days a week. Nope. Not gonna happen. Not when my job is in the field. Oh and when I have to be in office I have to be business casual including a button up shirt. No jeans. My work attire at this point included jeans, t shirt, and flip flops. Now I'm pissed.
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 05
    Font - So I go out to a thrift shop and buy two of the ugliest, over sized, button up shirts, you can imagine. One looked like it was made from a circus tent. I wore that shirt to the office every single time I had to go in.
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 06
    Font - I was let go 2 months later when COVID hit "cause mental health isn't needed right now" their words not mine. Plus side is I was able to help most of my former clients find new providers and that office is basically dead.
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 07
    Font - Edit: the dress code prior to the new boss allowed for the attire and I wore that for 5 years roughly. After I was let go, I landed a position making almost 50% more than I had been but now working with a significantly smaller caseload. I went from 90 clients to 13. I went from working with all ages to just teens.
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 08
    Font - SOLO TJamesV 7 mo. ago Yeah, who needs mental health during a global crisis 2.6k Reply Share
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 09
    Font - Philosopher_1234 OP. 7 mo. ago It was his excuse to let me go. I'm not a young pretty woman and that's all he likes to hire. My field is predominantly females so it's not hard for him to do it. And I made more than others in my position but I did more. 1.4k Reply Share
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 10
    Font - Carlsoti77 7 mo. ago "Business" is the worst thing to happen to mental health care since ECT. 312 Reply Share
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 11
    Font - Philosopher_1234 OP. 7 mo. ago While business ppl are needed in the field, they don't need to be in charge. They have no care for the clients. It's just about billing to them. 150 Reply Share
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 12
    Font - StormBeyond Time +2. 7 mo. ago The flip-flops can be argued as a safety concern. The rest of it -nice jeans and t-shirt look fine and can make the worker more approachable to those hesitant to admit they need help. I can get a quick daily check-in at the office. I don't get management insisting on being butt- in-seat unless they're going to have the clients come in. 278 Reply Share
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 13
    Font - sawdustandfleas 7 mo. ago I used to work in mental health in the field just like you and i wore just the same "uniform" you did lol. It helped equalize me with the clients so they didn't think I was some uppity office lady. There was a reason for the attire, it helped us connect better with our clients. 107 Reply Share
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 14
    Font - Philosopher_1234 OP. 7 mo. ago Exactly. It was hard enough connecting with them without bs rules about attire.
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 15
    Font - derKestrel 7 mo. ago While business casual is a very common work attire, it really depends on the job if it is necessary. Are you customer facing, what would customers expect, how is the office culture? A manager should normally look at these points before arbitrarily imposing a rule.
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 16
    Font - Mo-shen 7 mo. ago Had a job as a graphic designer and I say with all the engineers in the back. We never saw any customers or anything. They required slacks and a button up shirt. Regularly saw the owner in shorts and t-shirt. Came in in nice jeans once and they threw a fit. Fish rots from the head. Was a horrible job for a lot of reasons, that being one of them.
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 17
    Font - bobowork · 7 mo. ago cause mental health isn't needed right now BWAHAHAHAНАНАНАН АНАННАНАНАННАНАН НАНАННАНА
    via u/Philosopher_1234
  • 18
    Font - NotSoBrown 7 mo. ago You are a hero, you don't need a cape. Mental health workers are the reason I am able to socialize today and I am one of the best sales agents to hit my office because of the dedication and effort my mental health workers put in for me. Thank you for what you do. You make such a life changing difference in peoples lives!!!!
    via u/Philosopher_1234

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workplace-stories dress code work stories toxic-workplace manager job work toxic-boss Horrible Bosses reddit thread Reddit toxic-work-environment
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