Inappropriate attire for work

[StoneY]

i'm doing some work for a family company at the moment

they are exclusive brethren

i have to wear a long skirt, cover my arms and be demure ...

not me, true - but they are paying me and, as far as i'm concerned, if they want to impose a workplace dress code they have a right to do so...

just as i have a right to accept it or walk away

Be demure?
Thats outright discrimination- bet the menfolk do not have to 'be demure'
Couldnt pay me enough to accept that bullshit

[Bronson]

Tell them to get fucked mate, there is no need for this kind of discrimination. Those people can't tell you what you can and can't wear, you can show up wearing a turban on your head if you want. Arabs choose to wear turbans because of their beliefs, and bikers choose to wear leathers for our beliefs. It's not really and different is it?

Damn straight! The asshole probably wants a bike but his missus won't let him so he's dog on anyone who has one.

[StoneY]

If they have a perception issue about my attire then that is their personal issue. I wont return unless I am accepted as I am. I wont be changing for other people.

While I agree with your point on taking the bike and your green stand (i too work in IT as a Customer Support Coordinator and travel nationally) BUT in the IT world there are simply some clients who wish a higher level of presentation- and fair enough

I worked in a palmy warehouse all week training some clients and testing a rollout - jeans and t-shirt SWEET i win win win that week

Monday I am at MFAT- suit and tie needed big fuckin deal

If they said you need a haircut thats discrimination- if they say your atire is unsuitable thats thier privellege and to some extent your customer is always right, that is NOT a cliche its a business requisite in some factors and appearance is everything

I have 5 clients that are "Suit Only" and hence in thier cases I take the cage (where dress and freight allow -eg no suit and only the laptop i tak the bike)

Its a reallity of our trade PD buddy, some sites are just more 'upscale' than others and if you get offended being asked to dress up a little go find a new job as a builder or such where the suit will never get aired

What was the business anyway to put in persective this t-shirt issue- a warehouse- retail outlet - govt office- WINZ counter? What?

[scracha]

customers - advantage to being your own boss, dont like a customer, give them the phone number for an idiot down the road that charges half the price..

Or if you REALLY don't like them, give the phone number for an idiot down the road that charges twice the price.

[p.dath]

...
What was the business anyway to put in persective this t-shirt issue- a warehouse- retail outlet - govt office- WINZ counter? What?

Government lobby group.

I've spoken to the company that did their previous work. They told me refused to do any further work for them because they were too hard to work with.

[Dodgyiti]

Been commuting between several companies on the bike for years. The only problem is winter rain. Turning up sopping wet is not a good look so as previously mentioned- hard luggage, strip off the squelchy gear before entering the site.
Because I worked in the environmental field it was as I said to them "Walking the walk" plus the cash payout for providing my own transport as opposed to a company car and combined with the $$ per Km I was really creaming it money wise, oh, and good for the environment too

[cowpatz]

same goes for work uniforms. i refuse to ride showing my uniform simply for the fact that i will then be representing the business, and some of my actions while riding may come back to bite me on the ass. i can count on one hand the number of times i have ridden in uniform, and all times were while at bp and commuting between sites for whatever reason.

Yeah but maybe wearing your French maid uniform and fishnets whilst riding your bike was an issue for everyone...........wow that paints a nice mental picture really.......

I thought most IT geeks were renown for their bad taste in attire. They usually smell of last nights pizza, have long greasy hair and glasses held together with a band aid. Sort of a Wayne's world meets The Big Bang Theory type. It is unreasonable of this client to try to change that....shame on him.

[crazyhorse]

The last member of parliament here in HB rode a motorcycle. They used to have adds in the local paper - one with him in his suit and tie, the other standing next to his motorcycle in his leathers.

Jo Public has a perception of power and wealth, and it does not come from turning up to a job on a motorcycle, but arriving in a vehicle wearing a suit. This is a common misconception, but quite obvious if you think about it.

Clearly they see motorcycles as leather patched people, despite what you do for a job, or how much money is in your account.

Just a fact of life really. If you want a better customer relationship with this client of yours, you may need to conform when visiting their site. Unless business is booming for you. Then take the "who cares" attitude. That's what I'd do.

[StoneY]

Government lobby group.

I've spoken to the company that did their previous work. They told me refused to do any further work for them because they were too hard to work with.

Thats the wheel of commerce- decide- is their money WORTH the pain?

And would you really take a competitors word for it? They may have a vested interest in you turning this lobby group away so they can weazel back in- 2 sides of the coin son, maybe the other lot got binned for wearing boardies to the board room?

Bottom line- Do they pay the invoice on time?

If gettin on a collar and tie = pain you should change career right now dude coz thats NUTHIN, and a lobby groups tame by comparison to an actual departmental contract or a meeting with the board of Fujitsu etc

[Squiggles]

I wears Ripped jeans + hoody to work, what are these "standards" you speak of?

[MarkH]

If they have a perception issue about my attire then that is their personal issue. I wont return unless I am accepted as I am. I wont be changing for other people.

I work in IT also and have recently sold my car, after barely using it for a year.

I visit customers wearing black Dragin' Jeans, a denim shirt, shorty m/cycle boots & a Dainese Leather Jacket (plain black). When I arrive I remove my helmet & gloves and put them in my top box. If it is raining I also remove my rain pants and jam them in the top box.

I have only had the occasional comment about my attire (maybe 3 or 4 times) and it was the same comment in each case - "ooh, that's a nice jacket". These were customers in the clothing industry.

The only complaints I ever get are along the lines of: "my computer isn't working properly, can you fix it!". If some uptight twerp has a problem with me not driving a car and wearing a suit then fuck 'em! I don't even own a suit and I don't wear ties.


Here's a quick joke you can tell the customer:
What is the useless piece of material that hangs from an arsehole called?
A tie.

[R6_kid:Me]

When I worked at TelstraClear you could tell who the tech guys were. They were the only people in the building apart from the cleaners who could wear pretty much what they want. Everyone else was in 'tidy' workplace attire - men had to wear dress pants, shirt and shoes. Women had a wider option of things they could wear but all had to be of a suitable nature.

[mstriumph]

Be demure?
Thats outright discrimination- bet the menfolk do not have to 'be demure'
Couldnt pay me enough to accept that bullshit

mmm - mebbe YOU haven't been out of work for nearly 3 months ...

but, to be honest, it doesn't bother me - yes - the blokes have to tow the line too [except for the skirts, of course]and he who pays the piper calls the tune ... and all that.

[AlpinePossum]

Well blow me down, for the first time in 10 years, I had someone complain at my office that my "attire" was not suitable for their workplace. A site I've been to half a dozen times before. They implied they had a problem with the look of my motorcycle gear.

I bet you did what I do... Park bike, drop key into pocket, start walking whilst taking off gloves, fumble for door key / pass, whilst working on helmet strap, open door whilst taking off glasses, take off helmet....

..whoops, you just appeared in some timid souls view wearing a bulky jacket AND FULL FACE HELMET and SCARED them.

Try getting at least your helmet off before moving. :-)

[Insanity_rules]

I'm the managing director of an IT company. I not only encourage bikes as a mode of transport among my employees but I also defend that position to my clients (not that I have had to often). Normally its by the angle of "on a motorcycle you get a faster site response time".

Its a very shallow company that hires their IT support based on a crisp suit and tie. You'll find that the best IT people aren't ironed conformists. I guess I garner respect from my staff because half the day I go out and do exactly what they do and I do it on my bike mostly. Sure dress tidy and be respectful on a clients site but I would point out that the standard of your work is not dictated by what your are wearing.

Maybe a nice suited buffoon who makes quite a few mistakes on their site might make them appreciate you a little more?