Could this woman get a job in your office?

[jeffrey]

Office dress codes are loosening, but where do the boundaries lie? Rebecca Knowles-Dixon, 24, is at the edge of what constitutes acceptable work wear. Could she work in your office?

BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | Could this woman get a job in your office?

[GREENBACK]

Rebecca should send her resume' to Google I guess it does depend on where you work or apply to work. Most buisnesses dealing face to face with the public are going to have tighter standards though I hear tattoos, earrings, etc. are better tolerated nowadays. Generational thing I guess.

[Broken Arrow]

I work at a major pharmaceutical research facility, where most people are straight-laced, if not... pasty. However, there is one particular scientist who almost looks like a dead-ringer for that woman in the photo.

Seriously, she has tattoos on her chest, almost like a tribal crest that covers above her bosom, and runs up to her neck. And she has piercings everywhere, including the nose, bridge of the nose, and stretched-out earlobes. She also has piercings on her back that she likes to "hang from". But she removes most of that for work, except maybe a nose ring.

I tell you, on the first impression, and the second, it would make anyone stop and wonder. However, once you get to know her, you realize that she's actually a very nice person, a capable scientist, and perhaps because of her own personal experiences of being judged by her outer appearance, is extremely tolerant and understanding of others.

I like her a lot. She's a positive influence in the work environment, and in a good way, challenges the conventional, corporate thinking. I'm glad that she is not discriminated by her looks. (But again, this is a research environment, where looks doesn't matter too much.)

[Inkstain82]

She's pushing the border, but I'd call what she wears acceptable these days. It really doesn't hurt that she's fairly attractive.

[akrogers]

That wouldn't fly in my office. Unless she was of course my boss who fails to wear a bra most days and stores her breast milk in the community refrigerator *puke*. But God forbid someone else wears what she would deem a "t shirt."

[PrincessPerky]

so she stores her breast milk next to some milk you got from a creature that chews it's cud, and has boobs so braless they drag on the ground?

As to the woman, other than the hair, she is fairly normal by todays standards. And I would take dreads over flip flops any day! (safety thing IMO)

[akrogers]

First of all, I don't drink milk. And if I did I suppose that her open container of breast milk would be sitting next to it.

[GREENBACK]

Originally Posted by akrogers

stores her breast milk in the community refrigerator *puke*.

Not to go off subject, but what possible reason would anyone do this. I presume that if you're lactating you should have plenty of warm "baby milk" readily available

[akrogers]

I was just commenting on the fact that what is acceptable for some in the work place isn't acceptable for others. Both in terms of dress and behavior. I think that she has to pump, which I completely respect, but I have a boundary issue with keeping it in the fridge (open, and yes, it has spilled before).

[MonkeyMama]

As to the question at hand - um no, wouldn't be hired here. Really wouldn't be hired for more minimum wage jobs either (Strictest stress codes I have seen - minimum wage jobs). I think the tattoos and piercings are coverable, but the hair would be the deal breaker at my office. No personal judement, but people want to entrust their finances with boring looking people. It doesn't matter what we think anyway - our clients set the tone.

I used to teach piano - she'd certainly fly as a music teacher (the weirder looking the better? Sign of creativity? Maybe not for the little kids. Depends who you are teaching).

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As to pumping milk (BTDT)- may have no other safe option but fridge. Of course, if I Was worried about safety I'd put a lid on it, and polite people would be more discreet! So that's, er, interesting?

[geojen]

Where else is she supposed to keep it? I believe that employers have to provide a place for pumping and storage, by law. It's just milk, especially if it is covered. Would you be uncomfortable with someone keeping their yogurt in the fridge? How about goat milk? Just curious.

[kork13]

haha SURE! If she wanted one, she could probably get a job with my 'company' no problem! Just talk to the local recruiter and they'll set her right up! Yea, they may or may not mention the details of how her grooming and wardrobe may change once she got to basic training, but she'd figure it out pretty quick. In any case, the only way she would leave the job is if she quit. Sooooo..... the ball's in your court, madam....

[akrogers]

Geojen, if you would read, the post you would see that I specifically stated that it was uncovered and had spilled in the fridge previously.

I am about to leave the forums for this reason, but I am very surprised at how many posters here clearly don't take the time to read previous posts or understand another poster's point before jumping in, all the while being completely self-righteous. This isn't directed at any one person in particular, but it is a definite pattern I have been noticing while reading the boards. Never before seen this on any of the other forums I have been on.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by akrogers

I think that she has to pump, which I completely respect, but I have a boundary issue with keeping it in the fridge (open, and yes, it has spilled before).

I would nicely point out that leaving it open poses a contamination risk to the baby. Nothing at all wrong with keeping breast milk in the fridge. In fact, that's exactly where it should be, but it should also be in a clean, sealed container.

[PrincessPerky]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I would nicely point out that leaving it open poses a contamination risk to the baby. Nothing at all wrong with keeping breast milk in the fridge. In fact, that's exactly where it should be, but it should also be in a clean, sealed container.

Sorry missed the part about open, open is not safe for baby, fridge yes, open no.

[anonymous_saver]

Yes, she could easily work in my office. I work at a very large University and I don't see anything she is wearing as an issue at all!

[FrugalFish]

Originally Posted by GREENBACK

Not to go off subject, but what possible reason would anyone do this. I presume that if you're lactating you should have plenty of warm "baby milk" readily available

Your supply starts to dwindle if you don't keep it moving throughout the day- I'd guess that's why she's pumping at work. I find the fact that it's spilled in the fridge pretty gross. I believe AIDS is transmittable through breast milk- however unlikely it is that you're actually going to contact it in a fashion that puts you at risk. Still, it's gross for baby and coworkers that she's so careless with it. I wonder if this could constitute a biohazard complaint.

[tzsgti]

If someone fits the credentials and is capable of doing the job then looks should not determine if she is qualified or if they should hire her. Now if its a job where it requires a presentable appearance like sales then maybe she doesn't fit the criteria. They can also make her wear a suit if she had to go to meetings with a client or somebody important.

[GREENBACK]

Originally Posted by FrugalFish

Your supply starts to dwindle if you don't keep it moving throughout the day- I'd guess that's why she's pumping at work. I find the fact that it's spilled in the fridge pretty gross. I believe AIDS is transmittable through breast milk- however unlikely it is that you're actually going to contact it in a fashion that puts you at risk. Still, it's gross for baby and coworkers that she's so careless with it. I wonder if this could constitute a biohazard complaint.

I see; makes sense. I would think that keeping that tightly covered and well marked would be a priority. I haven't worked in an office setting in more than 20 years but I would complain like crazy if there was spilled human anything in the refrigerator.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by tzsgti

Now if its a job where it requires a presentable appearance like sales then maybe she doesn't fit the criteria.

I think ANY job that involves contact with the public would fit this criteria whether it is sales/retail, any type of office where clients come in (medical practice, law office, etc.), food service. I think dress/appearance codes are far too lax most places today. Purple hair, nose rings and tattoos might be okay at some punk rock bar but not much of anywhere else.