The employee was told she was ‘begging for attention’
A video revealing an HR member’s response to a woman’s choices of work outfits has sparked heated debate among social media users.
With many workplaces having relaxed the rules since the coronavirus pandemic, it can be hard to know what to wear and what not to wear in the workplace, however, one employee certainly found out the hard way.
A woman took to social media – the video shared to TikTok by account @ultimatebykomi – to reveal she’d received an email from a lady in HR about the fashion choices she’s been wearing into the office.
Exhibiting one outfit which has raised concerns the employee performs a spin for the camera showing herself wearing a black dress.
The employee then goes to chat to someone called Matt, explaining she had an email from the HR woman – named Paula – saying she’s ‘not happy’ with what she’s been wearing to work and that it’s ‘distracting’.
“This dress was an example,” she adds and Matt responds: “I think it’s appropriate work attire.”
But the employee still has her meeting with Paula to get through.
In preparation for the battle, the employee reveals she donned a blazer style dress so Paula ‘can’t be mad’.
“It is low cut,” she continues. “Who cares.” Alas, Paula did very much care.
In the recording of the interaction, a voice can be heard saying: “I must admit, I’m slightly disappointed seeing how you dress today.”
The employee adds she spoke to Matt who said ‘there was no issue,’ however, Paula clearly isn’t phased, arguing she doesn’t believe Matt is ‘in a position to say what he did’.
The HR member says: “You need to address this issue because we are having comments from other members of staff.”
The employee argues: “I don’t think that’s my fault if I’m distracting other members of staff, that’s not on me, Paula, that’s kind of on them.”
But clearly Paula is only just warming up, alleging she’d received comments from others saying the employee is clearly ‘begging for attention’ with her outfit choices.
When asked if she’s ‘going to do anything differently,’ the employee admits defeat and resolves to go ‘shopping this weekend’.
And it’s not taken long for people to weigh in.
One TikTok user said: “I was soo ready to be on your side and then you stepped back from the camera.”
“I was soo ready to be on your side and then you stepped back from the camera,” another added, while a third commented: “HR is def correct.”
“I wanna be a girls girl but babe I have that exact dress and i wear it to the bars lmao,” a fourth wrote.
However, others critiqued the outfits but still defended the employee given HR’s handling of the situation.
A user argued: “It’s not appropriate for an office however to tell an associate their out looks as though they are “begging for attention” I would be filing my own HR complaint on HR.”
“I think HR should have just gone about this differently and directed her to dress code policies which, if it’s an issue, should include lengths, types of clothes etc. Saying it’s because of others is obvs gonna come across wrong,” another chimed.
And a final resolved: “I must admit…I’m slightly disappointed by the comments.”
So, what do you think?