Micromanaging Boss Writes This Man Up For Wearing Red Shoes To Work, So He Followed The Dress Code To The Book
Interview
While companies are allowed to specify how their employees should look at work, dress codes have been igniting debates for decades. After all, our jobs are demanding enough without the added pressure of worrying about what clothes to wear.
Unfortunately, it becomes even more infuriating when you have a micromanaging supervisor who just can’t seem to stop nagging you about your appearance. And this was just the case for Redditor rebelscumcsh. A few weeks ago, the man made a post on the Malicious Compliance subreddit revealing he works in upscale catering where the staff usually wear jeans and a simple t-shirt.
However, the user’s daily outfit included Converse Chuck Taylor shoes in bright, glaring red which seriously bothered his manager. “For months, she harped me almost daily until finally, she wrote me up,” the user revealed. But instead of getting himself into an exhausting argument, rebelscumcsh came up with a simple yet cunning plan. Read on for how the author maliciously complied and share your thoughts in the comments below!
Recently, this man shared how his micromanaging supervisor kept nagging him about the dress code
Image credits: D.C.Atty (not the actual photo)
But instead of getting himself into a long-lasting argument, the user maliciously complied
Image credits: TEDxLasPalmas (not the actual photo)
We managed to get in touch with the author of this post, rebelscumcsh, who was kind enough to have a little chat with us. When asked why he decided to share his story on the Malicious Compliance subreddit, the user revealed he simply thought it was amusing. “It happened 3 years ago and always makes me chuckle when I put my shoes on,” he told Bored Panda.
However, he did not expect it would attract so much attention but rather figured it would garner a few laughs and then get buried. As of today, the post has amassed more than 11.5K upvotes and several hundred comments with people applauding his little act of retaliation or sharing their own similar experiences.
Dozens of Redditor’s comments prove that many workers have issues with dress code rules at their companies. “So many employers want an employee pool of homogeneous appearance. Thing is, people are notoriously individualistic when it comes to how they look. We’re also a fairly stubborn species,” the user explained his thoughts on the issue.
Moreover, managers who keep nagging their employees about their looks can make the workplace feel awful. “In my particular case, I feel that she picked on me for a variety of reasons. Number one being I’m 20 years older than she is with a vastly superior resume. She was fresh out of college and had everything to prove,” the user revealed and added the woman simply didn’t like him. “Which is fine, I have her job now and she is no longer employed with this company.”
When asked about his insights on strict dress codes, the user told us they definitely have their place. “Industry-specific generally. You go to a five-star hotel, you expect each employee to look their best. They need to match, they need to be easily identifiable as an employee.”
“On an oil rig, it’s all about safety,” he continued. “Can’t be showing up to work in a pair of sneakers on a rig. Business people need to look like businessmen so that business can be conducted in a business-friendly fashion all business-like.”
HR consulting firm Randstad commissioned a survey of over 1.2K American workers across different industries to find out the present state of workplace fashion. Surprisingly, they discovered that while employees typically favor more informal and relaxed clothes at work, they’d still prefer some direction about what’s considered acceptable.
More than a half, 55 percent, of managers surveyed revealed they care more about performance than their employees’ looks. Almost a third of all workers revealed they feel uncertainty over what’s proper when the dress code is unclear, and 28 percent even mentioned that a coworker’s garments have made them feel uncomfortable at one point or another.
For years, there has been a certain trend of slowly drifting away from the formal and strict office dress codes, and the pandemic may have pushed it even further. Around a third of all workers (and 41 percent of those who work in environments with conservative dress codes) said they would rather have a relaxed, casual dress code than an additional $5K in pay a year. Moreover, another third revealed they would sooner quit their job or not accept a new offer than follow a strict, conservative dress code.
Rebelscumcsh would like to give you one piece of advice, dear readers: “Be yourself, stay true to yourself, but recognize the bigger picture of the industry you’re in and, most importantly, pick your battles.”
This story inspired Redditors to open up about their own experiences, here’s what they had to say
Our job allows "patterns" on your shirt or pants, but doesn't specify where the boundaries are past being child friendly. I've scoured thrift store racks for the most absurd and absolutely love when people get close enough to realize what I'm actually wearing.
This sounds like such fun. I bet you come across all sorts. I think it was a part on here or reddit where someone innocently had a patterned tie but upon inspection it was little pe*is
Load More Replies...
I have an autoimmune disease that causes my weight to fluctuate a lot, especially if I have to regularly take courses of steroids which makes me balloon up, I always bought stretchy slacks that would fit when I was on the lower and higher end of my fluctuations. I never had any problem until another company bought out the company I worked for and made a lot of changes including a stricter dress code (had to be business casual, no leggings no tees, even though all our clients were over the phone, never in person.) I wore my stretchy pants one day with a dressy sleeveless top and a cardigan when I was on a higher end of my weight fluctuation and I got sent home because the slacks were tight on me so they were like leggings, therefore they are leggings. I even showed them the pockets, zip, and belt loops. Still sent home. I ended up going to the thrift store and buying slacks about 4 or 5 sizes too large and just belted them and showed up with major baggy pants looking super sloppy.
The only thing a catering company or restaurant should be requiring of employee shoes is that they be anti-slip. Last thing anyone needs is an employee being injured because they slipped on a spill, especially the employee! :( (I work in insurance, so hear about a lot of serious injuries, all day. One client broke his FACE, slipping while serving—nose, eye sockets, mouth/teeth. It was horrible.)
"pickle in her ass" thank you for the new addition to my insult library.
What is so hard about following a dress code? I don't understand. The only one I refused was one that said I had to wear nylons. No thank you! But if it would've become a big deal I just would've switched to all slacks. Really. Been following a dress code all my working life.
It really depends on the job. I worked in sales in the corporate world. I had to really dress up because I was going to businesses for sales presentations. But dress codes for jobs where you aren't really working with customers are ridiculous as long as they are dressed decent. I think it's an area where some companies like to micromanage.
Load More Replies...
West telemarketing in the 90s REQUIRED full pantyhose..we were not allowed to wear knee highs and if your skirt was below the knee you had to lift the hem so they could see the hose didn't stop at the knee. We never met the clients or any customers and we were in mobile Alabama. They had a ridiculously high turnover rate as you can imagine. There were also rules on whether we could dye our hair, no denim, no uncollared shirts, etc.
I worked at Jamba Juice and they made me ace bandage all of my tattoos. Had to remove piercings and then put a bandaid over the hole. No "unnatural" hair colours.....which apparently included red if not born a red head. And every single customer asked why all the bandages of varying materials.....to which I explained. To which they all replied that's really stupid 🤣 I finally got tired of bandaging my entire body during 105 degree summers for slave wages and walked out mid shift.
Load More Replies...
It kills me that the youth today just can't get it. I've worked medical for 27yrs and with that their is a dress code to represent the hospital and to look professional to the patient and family. If your being paid by a company that you reached out to, follow the rules or find another job. That simple.
I love this guys attitude. I am the kind of person to do that. I was this kid if a sign said dont walk on the grass I would say it doesnt say anything about running on it. Wet paint signs for me meant touch and leave my mark. I think this guy is awesome.
I'm the same way,always have been. Not rebelling in anything just simply walking to the beat of my own drum. I have purposely chose to live my life and dress and color my hair like a box of Crayola's because it shows my individuality. I never want to look like anyone else.
Load More Replies...
Working in roading construction. Middle of summer 30° heat. Middle of nowhere. Dress code while working was long sleeve hi vis shirts with pants that covered legs and steel cap boots. Long pants were of a thicker material and really uncomfortable especially on hot days. So I started wearing 3/4 thin capris and long bright orange hi vis thin socks. That way on a break I could push my socks down and let my skin breath and cool down. Management was not amused but there was nothing they could do about especially as i was not asphalting crew.
No leggings but ass crack jeans ok. Jeans no holes but club style outfits ok. No flip flops but wedge heels ok. Home Depot dress code breakers in the wild.
Way back in my school days... we had a super-strict 'mother superior' who, although she has charge of our teachers (nuns) did not have charge of the school. But she decided to take control. We wore cherry-red pinafore dresses and she objected to white slips showing below the hems, so the decree went out - from x date all slips must be red, and there would be a full inspection to ensure we all complied.... I was a bit of a rebel; AND possessed a sewing machine so, come the day when we all line up around the quad in a single line, to display our slips in a kind of Mexican wave, I'm ready. ...... Everyone solemnly and resentfully raised their dresses for 'mother's' inspection - except yours truly. I waited. Until everyone's eyes were on me. I slowly raised my dress to display a deep ruffled hem of bright scarlet, surmounted by a candy-pink upper, liberally decorated with big flat bows. I bowed, to cheers all round. And 'Mother' folded her arms and marched off.
I don't understand......the company dress code was orange and white checkered shoes?? Title says "follows company dress code to the book". He says he shows up in Vans and then there's no explanation about said company policy.
I think there was no dress code about shoes but his "superior" had a problem with his red Chuck Taylor's so he said he wouldn't wear them anymore. He didn't,he showed up with even more over the top shoes,orange and white checkered Vans.
Load More Replies...
This petty s**t is so stupid. Why are people applauding this? The instant an employee tries to "make a show" of something in defiance, I would ignore them. I wouldn't validate their action. Which is exactly what happened here. The manager ignored this employees attempt at "acting out." But for whatever reason, this employee seems to think they "won" some type of battle that only existed in their mind. The manager didn't ignore the new shoes as a sign of defeat, they ignored the entire person as a way of refusing to participate in a silly game. I've dealt with employees like this. If I actually have a serious problem with their behavior, and they act like this, I WILL acknowledge them, I will acknowledge their attempts to be different and stand out, and I'll work with them to find a solution that works for both of us. But clearly this person is just a clown and of little real value to the workplace. Judging by the actions of the management.
There was this married woman at work who always tried (maybe it did happen) to seduce a married co-worker. Everybody knew it and he would laugh in our face when we told him to watch out. We also complained to HR. One day she showed up at work wearing one of her husband's shirt (see through) and a tong (or thong?). Anyways, you get the picture. She kept going to his desk when she had no business there. Every time HR wrote her up, she showed up with something else, as bad. We figured she got notices instead of write-ups because she was never let go.
Silly_Courage_6282 - "At my job were allowed to wear slides, but not flip-flops" What are "slides"?
slides are like flip-flops without the bit between your toes. https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/rw-summer-sandals-1-1590685368.jpg?crop=1xw:0.9995201535508638xh;center,top&resize=1200:*
Load More Replies...
dude is so immature and petty just go to walmart and get a pair of cheap black shoes
Sounds like a good manager to me wish he work at my restaurant because when you get a job that requires a dress code you know that when you get hired if it is a problem then the person could just not took the job to begin with. All I ever hear any more is oh poor me. Everyone plays the victim card when really they are just lazy or irresponsible yet it's not there fault always putting blame on others. What happened to the times where people believed in hard work?
There's a whole other reason why red shoes are unsavory these days. #StopChildTrafficking
Our job allows "patterns" on your shirt or pants, but doesn't specify where the boundaries are past being child friendly. I've scoured thrift store racks for the most absurd and absolutely love when people get close enough to realize what I'm actually wearing.
This sounds like such fun. I bet you come across all sorts. I think it was a part on here or reddit where someone innocently had a patterned tie but upon inspection it was little pe*is
Load More Replies... I have an autoimmune disease that causes my weight to fluctuate a lot, especially if I have to regularly take courses of steroids which makes me balloon up, I always bought stretchy slacks that would fit when I was on the lower and higher end of my fluctuations. I never had any problem until another company bought out the company I worked for and made a lot of changes including a stricter dress code (had to be business casual, no leggings no tees, even though all our clients were over the phone, never in person.) I wore my stretchy pants one day with a dressy sleeveless top and a cardigan when I was on a higher end of my weight fluctuation and I got sent home because the slacks were tight on me so they were like leggings, therefore they are leggings. I even showed them the pockets, zip, and belt loops. Still sent home. I ended up going to the thrift store and buying slacks about 4 or 5 sizes too large and just belted them and showed up with major baggy pants looking super sloppy.
The only thing a catering company or restaurant should be requiring of employee shoes is that they be anti-slip. Last thing anyone needs is an employee being injured because they slipped on a spill, especially the employee! :( (I work in insurance, so hear about a lot of serious injuries, all day. One client broke his FACE, slipping while serving—nose, eye sockets, mouth/teeth. It was horrible.)
"pickle in her ass" thank you for the new addition to my insult library.
What is so hard about following a dress code? I don't understand. The only one I refused was one that said I had to wear nylons. No thank you! But if it would've become a big deal I just would've switched to all slacks. Really. Been following a dress code all my working life.
It really depends on the job. I worked in sales in the corporate world. I had to really dress up because I was going to businesses for sales presentations. But dress codes for jobs where you aren't really working with customers are ridiculous as long as they are dressed decent. I think it's an area where some companies like to micromanage.
Load More Replies... West telemarketing in the 90s REQUIRED full pantyhose..we were not allowed to wear knee highs and if your skirt was below the knee you had to lift the hem so they could see the hose didn't stop at the knee. We never met the clients or any customers and we were in mobile Alabama. They had a ridiculously high turnover rate as you can imagine. There were also rules on whether we could dye our hair, no denim, no uncollared shirts, etc.
I worked at Jamba Juice and they made me ace bandage all of my tattoos. Had to remove piercings and then put a bandaid over the hole. No "unnatural" hair colours.....which apparently included red if not born a red head. And every single customer asked why all the bandages of varying materials.....to which I explained. To which they all replied that's really stupid 🤣 I finally got tired of bandaging my entire body during 105 degree summers for slave wages and walked out mid shift.
Load More Replies... It kills me that the youth today just can't get it. I've worked medical for 27yrs and with that their is a dress code to represent the hospital and to look professional to the patient and family. If your being paid by a company that you reached out to, follow the rules or find another job. That simple.
I love this guys attitude. I am the kind of person to do that. I was this kid if a sign said dont walk on the grass I would say it doesnt say anything about running on it. Wet paint signs for me meant touch and leave my mark. I think this guy is awesome.
I'm the same way,always have been. Not rebelling in anything just simply walking to the beat of my own drum. I have purposely chose to live my life and dress and color my hair like a box of Crayola's because it shows my individuality. I never want to look like anyone else.
Load More Replies... Working in roading construction. Middle of summer 30° heat. Middle of nowhere. Dress code while working was long sleeve hi vis shirts with pants that covered legs and steel cap boots. Long pants were of a thicker material and really uncomfortable especially on hot days. So I started wearing 3/4 thin capris and long bright orange hi vis thin socks. That way on a break I could push my socks down and let my skin breath and cool down. Management was not amused but there was nothing they could do about especially as i was not asphalting crew.
No leggings but ass crack jeans ok. Jeans no holes but club style outfits ok. No flip flops but wedge heels ok. Home Depot dress code breakers in the wild.
Way back in my school days... we had a super-strict 'mother superior' who, although she has charge of our teachers (nuns) did not have charge of the school. But she decided to take control. We wore cherry-red pinafore dresses and she objected to white slips showing below the hems, so the decree went out - from x date all slips must be red, and there would be a full inspection to ensure we all complied.... I was a bit of a rebel; AND possessed a sewing machine so, come the day when we all line up around the quad in a single line, to display our slips in a kind of Mexican wave, I'm ready. ...... Everyone solemnly and resentfully raised their dresses for 'mother's' inspection - except yours truly. I waited. Until everyone's eyes were on me. I slowly raised my dress to display a deep ruffled hem of bright scarlet, surmounted by a candy-pink upper, liberally decorated with big flat bows. I bowed, to cheers all round. And 'Mother' folded her arms and marched off.
I don't understand......the company dress code was orange and white checkered shoes?? Title says "follows company dress code to the book". He says he shows up in Vans and then there's no explanation about said company policy.
I think there was no dress code about shoes but his "superior" had a problem with his red Chuck Taylor's so he said he wouldn't wear them anymore. He didn't,he showed up with even more over the top shoes,orange and white checkered Vans.
Load More Replies... This petty s**t is so stupid. Why are people applauding this? The instant an employee tries to "make a show" of something in defiance, I would ignore them. I wouldn't validate their action. Which is exactly what happened here. The manager ignored this employees attempt at "acting out." But for whatever reason, this employee seems to think they "won" some type of battle that only existed in their mind. The manager didn't ignore the new shoes as a sign of defeat, they ignored the entire person as a way of refusing to participate in a silly game. I've dealt with employees like this. If I actually have a serious problem with their behavior, and they act like this, I WILL acknowledge them, I will acknowledge their attempts to be different and stand out, and I'll work with them to find a solution that works for both of us. But clearly this person is just a clown and of little real value to the workplace. Judging by the actions of the management.
There was this married woman at work who always tried (maybe it did happen) to seduce a married co-worker. Everybody knew it and he would laugh in our face when we told him to watch out. We also complained to HR. One day she showed up at work wearing one of her husband's shirt (see through) and a tong (or thong?). Anyways, you get the picture. She kept going to his desk when she had no business there. Every time HR wrote her up, she showed up with something else, as bad. We figured she got notices instead of write-ups because she was never let go.
Silly_Courage_6282 - "At my job were allowed to wear slides, but not flip-flops" What are "slides"?
slides are like flip-flops without the bit between your toes. https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/rw-summer-sandals-1-1590685368.jpg?crop=1xw:0.9995201535508638xh;center,top&resize=1200:*
Load More Replies... dude is so immature and petty just go to walmart and get a pair of cheap black shoes
Sounds like a good manager to me wish he work at my restaurant because when you get a job that requires a dress code you know that when you get hired if it is a problem then the person could just not took the job to begin with. All I ever hear any more is oh poor me. Everyone plays the victim card when really they are just lazy or irresponsible yet it's not there fault always putting blame on others. What happened to the times where people believed in hard work?
There's a whole other reason why red shoes are unsavory these days. #StopChildTrafficking
94
39