I would take Ms. Lucas's advice to the letter, but I would also take it to the next level. You obviously work for a typically shallow, doctrinaire, unfair boss. Crossing swords with her on this issue won't win you anything, in the long run. However, now that you know her nature, use it to your advantage. A person like that can easily be manipulated with flattery, lead where you want them to go with subtle encouragements, and made to like you beyond even your actual merits by simply offering them the approval they are most likely lacking from everyone else.
You've been given a terrific insight into this person's character flaws. Now, it's time to put that information to work for you.
Sof ME1:16PM June 18, 2012
If you are unwilling to abide by your employer's dress code, then either grow up and abide by it or take a lower paying, dead end job so you can wear whatever you want. Abide by the company's rules, as what they request for a dress code shoudl be far down te list of your priorities. If what you wear to work means more than your career, then get used to not being a successful professional. And if you want to show off your tattoo, then you absolutely have your prioritoes all mixed up and you will never succeed in the professional side of your life.
Case closed.
saywhatiwantof MA8:08PM June 15, 2011
I too worked for a call center when i was in need of some loot during my college years. At the time it was difficult to accept, but now when I think about it I am reminded of the inherent sexism when it came to dress code.
My female boss was absolutely strict about making sure her male worker bees were always dressed immaculately in suits and ties, without allowing the removal of any jackets until lunch. While that sounds strict, it is still ok in most workplaces, IF it was applied equally to women. In my old office, the women could wear simple low-cut neckline shells, comfortable pants, and just about any shoes they wanted. In fact, they would often joke about the men and torment us about our suits - WITH the boss!!! It would infuriate us, but she wouldn't budge.
Anyway, I think this is the most abstract version of dress code sexism that I have encountered, and I wanted to share it.
Jason Tankinnianof CA4:05AM November 19, 2010
I was told by my boss that I dress unprofessional and wear t-shirts to work when in fact i wear the nice GAP light cotton shirts she of course spread the word to everyone. Well she shows up to work wearing wife beaters under a red blazer a black sweater with a low cut showing of her breasts since she's got a boob job. My boss is plain and likes to wear black i am 20 years younger and a flower child I love colors of spring and summer. I believe her intentions are more towards me in a personal kind of way. now everyone is watching the way I dress. It is not about performance anymore it is about the way you wear your shirt and the colors that you pick. Sad world.
j.j.iof IL7:36PM February 24, 2010
When I lived in Florida I worked briefly as a phone flunky in a call center. The dress code made it clear that no shoes with heels higher than 2 inches could be worn, nor could sandals.
I noticed pretty quickly that most of the women there wore 3+ inch heels, including some 4" platform heels. I thought I could get away with wearing low heeled, modest sandals. These women were breaking the dress code, I thought I could too.
Of course not. I was told to not wear the sandals again. When I mentioned it to my manager, she hemmed and hawed and couldn't give a satisfactory answer about why hooker heels that broke the dress code were allowed, but modest sandals that broke the code were not.
I finally just decided "Well, screw it, something is at work here, so I'll play nice and go along even if it makes no sense." I never did understand it, though. I think something sexist was at work.
nyxalinthof CO11:02PM November 24, 2009
I try hard to convince myself that tattoos don't really matter all that much and that I shouldn't pay attention to them in the office. But they do matter. Apart from a few military experiences, tattoos have always been associated with criminality and lower-class behavior. (This is in our culture. I stipulate that other cultures have different traditions.)
I cannot help but think that the people getting tattoos now (especially women!) are voluntarily identifying themselves with criminality and lower-class behavior. At the very least, they are displaying poor judgment by voluntarily getting a permanent disfigurement. Why should voluntarily associate with them? Or let them represent my company to the public?
Jimof GA12:36PM November 13, 2009
"Anyone choosing to spend their time and money getting jabbed repeatedly with a needle full of ink on a conspicuous patch of skin should be aware of the fact that it may have some effect on their future." Wow--so we can see you obviously have something against tattoos. Honestly, I wish we could get to a place in business where we care more about work ethic and quality of work than we do the length of a pair of shorts or whether or not someone has a butterfly on their ankle. I know we have to draw the line somewhere for professional dress, but honestly, I think we need to move it a little further out, especially for this emerging generation. The Uber-Conservative types born in the fifties are retiring and dying off. Maybe its time we rethought what defines professional dress and made it more accommodating to the new professional.
Heatherof NC10:40PM July 18, 2009
The OP said they worked for a "well-known, worldwide, prestigious company". Why then be surprised that a manager would frown upon visible tattoos? Aren't such companies generally more conservative? I'd be more surprised if they were OK with it, especially if the OP's job is customer facing.
Sharonof GA4:19PM June 10, 2009
If your boss is telling you that it's inappropriate attire for the office, whether there is a written policy or not, you should listen to him/her, and feel lucky that you have a boss who will actually point it out to you before it becomes an issue outside of your department.
I once had a manager come see me because he had repeatedly asked one of his employees to stop wearing flip-flops to work. He was right, they were inappropriate (beach wear at work!). But more importantly, he was also attempting to mentor her into a higher level position in the company, and when discussing her with higher-ups, the response he would get would be "is she the one who wears flip-flops to work"...rather than "yes, she is very capable".
Just Another HR Lady3:22PM May 04, 2009
As an Image Coach I deal with this type of issue with every company I work with. Companies today have a chance to clean house with employees and rehire what they feel is best suited for their company culture and past mistakes. Potential new hires or if you think you may be on the chopping block need to rethink your dress each and every day. Thank you for bring this to print.
Reader Comments
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S of ME 1:16PM June 18, 2012
saywhatiwant of MA 8:08PM June 15, 2011
Jason Tankinnian of CA 4:05AM November 19, 2010
j.j.i of IL 7:36PM February 24, 2010
nyxalinth of CO 11:02PM November 24, 2009
Jim of GA 12:36PM November 13, 2009
Heather of NC 10:40PM July 18, 2009
Sharon of GA 4:19PM June 10, 2009
Just Another HR Lady 3:22PM May 04, 2009
Pat Newquist of AZ 1:39PM April 30, 2009