A woman has been left outraged after her boss claimed her outfit was too "provocative" for the workplace. The 21-year-old says she put a great deal of thought into her work attire - and was sickened by his sexist comments.
She explained how she was wearing a knee-length pencil skirt when her boss pulled her aside for a chat. Taking to Reddit, the woman said: "Apparently pencil skirts and high waisted pants on a 21-year-old body is provocative and inappropriate work attire. I was mortified when this happened, as I had graduated the year before and had just started my first real job.
"I've never had issues before. I have had internships each year during my studies over one of my longer university vacations.
"I had a work wardrobe I built up from my first year of university. So I put a lot of thought into it and spent some money on quality classic pieces.
"I had 25 pieces I mixed and matched. Pencil skirts and straight and wide high waist pants, collared shirts and wrap dresses, blazers and blouses. Shoes were simple, a heeled pair of Mary Janes, espadrilles mid-platform, ankle boots and calf boots all closed toe. Colours I went with we're dark blues, reds and blush pinks. Shoes were brown, camel, nude colours."
The woman went on to explain how her clothing always covered 70 to 80 per cent of her skin, saying it's not her fault that she's "21, tall and in shape".
"Nothing was see through or overly tight fitting either I made sure to balance things out. I never showed legs or chest," she said.
"I was annoyed as they felt the need to call me in and have this conversation.
"Luckily I didn't hesitate to let the specific director know I felt disrespected and didn't realise my colleagues were oogling me."
The next day, her boss tried to shift the blame on to HR claiming they advised him to "deal with her directly".
She added: "I went to the HR director who is a woman and asked her why she felt the need to not address me instead of having one of the company directors I report talk to me about work appropriate attire?
"I resigned a few months later. It was just not a good fit in terms of office culture."
While most users shared their shock over her experience, others explained how they have been 'dress coded' in the work place.
One user said: "My boss told me off for wearing leggings to work whilst she was wearing them!"
Another user added: "Wearing a fitted T-shirt, and midi skirt. I was working on a call centre and most staff dressed casual.
"I had previously asked HR if the fitted T-shirt was OK and was told it was totally fine - so I went ahead and brought it in a few colours.
"The midi skirt was the same style as one the manager had previously worn.
"I wore the skirt and T shirt together one day - I hadn’t worn the skirt before - and was told if I came in dressed like that again I would be sent home."
According to the Equality Act 2010, dress codes for men and women do not have to be identical, but they should have the same standards imposed on them.
A statement from the Government Equalities Office reads: "This means there must be similar or equivalent rules laid down for both male and female employees. Any less favourable treatment because of sex could be direct discrimination.
"Dress codes must not lead to harassment by colleagues or customers, so any requirements on women to dress in a provocative manner are likely to be unlawful on those grounds."
Employees should speak to their manager in the first instance if they believe their work's dress code is discriminatory.
The statement adds: "He or she should engage constructively with your concern.
"If they react badly to your complaint, for example by criticising or penalising you, this could be unlawful victimisation, which you are protected from under the Equality Act 2010."
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