Job Discussion Forums

[Ger]

Now wifey (co-director and wife of the boss) has recently decided that my footware is unsuitable.

I usually wear flat, open footware with some straps going across the bridge of the foot.

So wifey used the new manageress to pass on the message. My initial response was, "No problem", and I began to wear closed, leather shoes, but they hurt a little and my feet are more comfortable in the open footware.

Anyway, today I wore my comfy ones and the new manageress came up to me delighting in her newfound power and authority to tell me that, "Wifey said we're not allowed to wear slippers here".

I have to say I felt quite affronted and a little angry, because I don't see how my open footware affects anyone else.

I feel emotionally like defying this new rule. What are my options?

Have you had any experiences of Hong Kong people dictating what footware you can wear? If so, what did you do?

[subwoofer]

Go barefoot and say 'What your problem now, bi-atch'.

To the manageress of course not your wife........

[Joachim]

Well, pretty soon it will be too cold for open toed shoes anyway!

You've got to pick your battles, and this doesn't seem like a very smart one to hold on to. Concentrate your energies on demanding that you get public holidays off, or sick pay or whatever.

Alternatively, get another job. It sounds to me as if you really are being taken advantage of...

[foster]

Ger:

At my school, there is no issue with dress code other than we are to dress 'professionally'...which I think is open to too much interpretation!

In Japan, we were required to wear closed toe shoes. I seldom complied with that as it was Nova and it was my one little defiance.

You could try to explain the situation to wifey or you can go with the flow and wear closed shoes. It will be getting cold soon, but not that cold. You need to pick your battles, as was stated earlier. Shoes are a relatively small issue. Pay, Holidays, Hours...those are the biggies and well worth the fight.

I must say, your work place sounds like a dictatorship. Seriously, have you considered work elsewhere? At the end of your contract, I would seriously look into a change.

[once again]

I have to wear a tie at work. This is something I used to object to. Now I realise how much of an expression I can make about my personality through my tie. I have even signed up for an online course called "How to express your personality through your choice of ties". I hope to learn a lot.

[mcNug]

My goodness, just quit the damn place. It sounds awful! I don't know how you have put up with it for as long as you have! Quit and please tell us the name of this place.

Seriously, I can't take it. PM me, I can try to hook you up with a much better place.