Groups : Women (Sisters) - UK ban mini skirt

COUNCIL bosses have banned staff from wearing mini-skirts - and could send them home if they flout the rules.

Women at Southampton City Council received a memo telling them they needed to dress respectfully and wear skirts of 'reasonable' length.

Bosses are worried that the sight of female workers showing off their legs in short skirts could shock and dismay members of the public.

The memo insists they dress in 'appropriate' clothing for their line of work, including trousers, informal dresses or skirts of "reasonable" length - but 'not mini-skirts'.

Outraged staff say they fear bosses may start prowling offices in Southampton, Hants, armed with a ruler or tape measure.

Unions today threatened to fight the ban.

The leaked email, which was sent to around 400 staff, advised men to wear collared or polo shirts, cotton trousers such as khakis or chinos with a belt, and 'dress shoes'.

It warned social workers, youth workers, educational welfare officers and others in the children's services department to 'carefully consider their work attire'.

The memo added: "During the coming weeks managers will be speaking to staff about the clothes they wear to work and making sure they are appropriate for the activities they undertake.

"Please try to dress smartly and thoughtfully, in line with other professionals you come across in your day-to-day work, and in a way that shows respect to children and families."

Anger

One council worker, who did not want to be named, said: "So now the council is deciding what we can and cannot wear.

"What is a mini-skirt? Micro-minis would probably not be acceptable, but above the knee?

"Are they going to come around with a tape measure?

"I thought the principle was to get the job done for the council taxpayers."

The council's Unison branch secretary Mike Tucker said: "I would have thought the council has got better things to do than impose a regimented approach to what people wear.

"If anyone is disciplined we are more than happy to defend them."

But council chiefs today insisted that although skirts should not be too short, there are no specific rules on skirt length.

A spokesman said: "We do not have a rigid dress code and will not be going around offices with a tape measure.

"Like any organisation we issue guidance and ask staff to dress appropriately for their job.

"We employ people in so many roles, from gardener to social worker, and giving specific rules such as wear a suit or skirt would not work.

"Staff need to use their own judgement.

"The email was sent to around 400 people in the Children's Services department because workers there visit people's homes and deal with sensitive issues.

"It is important staff in customer-facing roles look professional.

"The council employs just under 10,000 staff, with the vast majority dressing completely appropriately.

"We do not have lots of staff at the council wearing mini-skirts - that was just picked as an example of what would be inappropriate."

Council leader Cllr Royston Smith said: "I think this is a common sense, low bureaucracy approach and we're sure the public and staff would agree is the right one."

Southampton residents are divided over the mini-skirt ban.

Student Gaini Dosanova, 24, said: "I think mini-skirts look very good. I don't understand why they want to ban them.

"You can wear them causally, to go shopping and I think they are suitable for smart casual at work.

"Also they're quite cheap."

Receptionist Jody Clarke, 21, said: "I don't think there is anything wrong with it as long as they're not too short.

"They may not be suitable for management but if staff can make it look classy why not go for it?"

Salesman Matt Spacagna, 24, said: "If you want to be taken seriously it's probably not the way to dress.

"If it's a male environment it can send out the wrong message."

Pensioner Bob Moore, 66, said: "I don't think it is appropriate because it takes people's attention off their work.

"You can be smart casual without being provocative."

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3075750/Barmy-council-bans-mini-skirt.html#ixzz0wW0slHRE - http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3075750/Barmy-council-bans-mini-skirt.html#ixzz0wW0slHRE