She wasn’t about to be fired; she was about to get a verbal warning to conform to the dress code.
When she came into my office, she listened to what I had to say, shrugged, and said, “Whatever dude. Here’s my written notice.” Since she already had that ready, I infer she already has another job lined up and would have delivered that anyway. Hence the not caring.
I’M not implying that. I’d not care if you were hot or homely, a nymphette or a grandmother; some attire is not appropriate for an office. Particularly for a receptionist.
I didn’t say you were. And I agree – some attire is not appropriate for an office.
I just resent the suggestion (which was not made by you, Skald, personally) that after age 35-40 or so, I’m supposed to cover it up. Bullshit. I’m still rockin’ awesome thighs and I never wear anything inappropriate. Not that the old biddies I work with would give a flip anyway.
My posts are my knee-jerk reaction to "Anyone who is over 40 better not wear [insert some article of clothing I love to wear that looks great on me]… That’s just bullshit.
Regardless of the rules which may be in place, how these policies get enforced really mostly depends on who gets offended by other people’s level of exposed skinnage and clearly outlined body parts. Customers will rat you out in a heartbeat. Overly-inhibited middle aged women with erectile dysfunctional husbands are probably a close second.
We had a senior executive’s receptionist at place I worked in a past life who was a seriously heart-stopping hottie, knew it and dressed the part - every day. This was in a U.S. Government office overseas dealing with local DoD contractors. Pretty stuffed shirt conservative by-the-book repressed authoritative stuff all the way. Nobody ever complained about her (officially) and we went through three different bosses while I was there, meaning she was the same receptionist for three different heads of that organization. There sure was plenty of offline water cooler conversation going on - “Did you see Susan today? Maaaan, she outdid herself again!” I never could figure out how she got away with it, not that I didn’t actually look forward to being called into the bosse’s office for that reason alone.
I guess the view was just too good to deny, maybe? Dunno…
Some years back I knew a 40ish woman named – well, let’s say Ginger – who rocked such garments (within reason) at an office job. Her age was not hidden by her face, but the amount of effort she put into keeping her body incredible (she moonlighted as a personal trainer) was appreciated by all & sundry.
Well…the straight dudes. And I suppose the lesbians, though in fact I never asked any.
Nope you can’t. Because we can’t have a sliding scale based off how hot you look or who you sit with or what the male reaction is. Everyone has to get treated the same. So no fingertip length skirts or sheer shirts for anyone.
I see your point, Dogzilla (and your stealth bragging :)).
That you can pull off a short skirt is to your credit. A lot of women shouldn’t wear them regardless of their age. They just don’t have the legs for 'em.
There are some clothes that are simply age appropriate.
Why, for the life of me I can no longer find onesies in my size…
Okay, so my skirts must extend past my fingertips. I can do that. I don’t wear microminis to work. (Only on fuckdates with my “friend.”)
I don’t do sheer or low cut shirts. Nor any kind of strappy/tanky sort of top. Sleeveless, yes, because this is Florida, but no tanks or anything like that.
It sounds to me like I don’t need a talkin’ to by the boss. But I’m probably pretty close to the edge on skirt lengths. Otherwise, as a former mormon, I find it difficult to be too revealing in a professional setting. Some programming is hard to overcome. I don’t try too hard (to overcome the mormon programming) when it comes to modesty in the workplace because if you dress to mormon standards (which I don’t), you’re pretty much golden as far as work dress codes go.
No one requested that! We’re happy with hot chicks wearing micro-mini at all non-office related occasions. And even at the office, if it’s just the Xmas party or whatever.