Boss makes employee put blazer back on in boiling hot weather because of his tattoos: '[I'm] so done with this place'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jun 4, 2024 8:00 AM EDT

Let's talk about unnecessary dress codes. Sure, there are certain jobs where the clothing you wear is important. Healthcare workers and firefighters are a couple of professions that come to mind. Uniforms can signify that the person who is about to perform a job is the right person to be doing it. However, in most workplace environments, uniforms are less necessary and more performative. 

For instance, do all finance bros need to wear a jacket and tie for their jobs? Absolutely not. It should always be about the work before the presentation. If you feel like you genuinely want to wear a jacket and tie to work, go for it! That being said, in reality, the work should speak for itself and the uniform shouldn't speak for the work. 

This employee was told by his horrible boss that he had to put his blazer back on because he had tattoos. Now, according to the employee handbook, only inappropriate tattoos need to be covered and this guy's tattoos were far from inappropriate. Plus, it was summer weather! We hope the next time this happens, the employee stands up for himself. 

For more stories like this, check out this post about a Karen employee who replaced a door.

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  • 01
    "Boss won't let me take my blazer off..."
    via Benjamin R.
  • 02
    Employee handbook says tattoos are fine unless inappropriate. None of the tattoos I have are inappropriate. It is 27c (80f), I am hot. This buildings AC s. All my coworkers have their blazers off, but the second I took mine off, my boss told me to put it back on as I have tattoos.
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29
  • 03
    I explained to him that I am very hot.. he puts a mini fan on my desk. So done with this place.
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29
  • 04
    AnamCeili 21 hr. ago I would confront him civilly, but I would bring the employee handbook to him, point out the relevant passage, and ask him to explain exactly which of your tattoos are inappropriate, and what about them is inappropriate.
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29
  • 05
    Assuming that you don't have any tattoos which are overtly I, or tattoos which are ]/s/h[ ]/etc., then he won't be able to point to anything inappropriate.
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29
  • 06
    Glittering-Tax-29 OP. 21 hr. ago Thank you. I think I will do this. My tattoos aren't offensive in the slightest. I have a floral sleeve and some other small ones. None of which are s h or anything of the sorts.
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29
  • 07
    AnamCeili 21 hr. ago Good, then hopefully you should be fine and he should back off. If your boss continues to make a fuss, go over his head (if there is a supervisor or CEO or someone in a position above him).
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29
  • 08
    If that doesn't work, or if there is no one above him to go to, then a free consultation with an attorney might be in order - I don't know -- if you would have a case, but a decent attorney would know. Best of luck!
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29
  • 09
    Ghostyped 20 hr. ago Just keep it off anyways. Make him write you up for it. He has to put down in words why he's doing that and that will show it has no merit. People only have as much power over you as you give them
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29
  • 10
    Honest_Specific6241. 21 hr. ago I forgot Fahrenheit exists, and read that 27 Celsius (80 female) and I was like, just retire! that place.
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29
  • 11
    hacman113 .22 hr. ago Stick a large bandage over them, ideally find one with bright cartoon designs that really draws attention.
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29
  • 12
    9001 19 hr. ago • "Put your blazer back on." "No."
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29
  • 13
    FriarNurgle 20 hr. ago Just take your blazer off. Let the boss make an of themselves. Get an employment lawyer if/when he fires you.
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29
  • 14
    UglySock 21 hr. ago I assume you have tattoos on your arms, maybe try a linen long sleeve shirt, it will cover your arms but the material is very breathable and you should be comfortable in it.
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29
  • 15
    theoldme3 20 hr. ago Had a boss tell me i had to shave once....i simply replied No
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29
  • 16
    MrBrawn 22 hr. ago 9/10 bosses wouldn't even give you a fan.
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29
  • 17
    Glittering-Tax-29 OP. 22 hr. ago LOL I guess I should count my blessings
    via u/Glittering-Tax-29

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workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job work Horrible Bosses reddit thread Reddit company toxic-work-environment
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