Western co's impose sexist dress codes on Russian women

[MikeyB]

I read on the Moscow Times website that some western companies are imposing sexist dress codes on Russian women working for them in their Moscow offices. The report said that some companies were mandating short skirts with bare legs and high heeled shoes.

Has anyone else heard of this, and do you know whether it is true?

I'm thinking if the girls in question are in agreement with this it is maybe not such a bad thing in the summer. Russian women *are* generally attractive and stylish and I can understand them wanting to look their best. But in the middle of winter? It seems to me it's below freezing in Moscow at least half the year and I can't imagine the girls in question like having freezing cold legs and skidding about on snow or ice in heels.

Or am I wrong? Maybe they like dressing up and have got acclimatised because they've grown up in a cold country.

Does anyone here have first hand experience or an opinion on what's happening?

[RAMBO]

I am shocked! YES! SHOCKED! To hear that any American company would be involved in allowing women to dress up and look pretty! Obviously, the work of Dasdardly Macho Men Managers who have been exiled from the United States for gross violations of political correctness!

As is well known it is Standard American Business Practice to have women dress like men, work in construction, use a lot of profanity, and even use the same bathroom as men. At one company in Berkeley, California the requirement is that men and women address each other as "Comrade" -- so as to end sexual difference that exists when one uses "Mr." or "Miss" or "Mrs" or even "Ms" form of address.

Have they no shame!

This must be reported to NOW as soon as possible!!!!

Hey, I bet the gals even shave their armpits and legs in Moscow! Terrible, TERRIBLE!

[jutka]

RAMBO

There's a difference between ALLOWING and IMPOSING. When they say "imposing" a dress code, it means they MUST wear that. How would you feel if they told your daughter (hypothetically speaking, because I don't know if you have one) that to have the job, she MUST wear what her male bosses WANT her to?

[MikeyB]

I think you both make good points. I read the other day of a woman in the US who was taking her employer to court because the company was *compelling* her to wear trousers/pants to work. She argued that as a woman, and I think a Catholic, she had a right to wear gender-specific clothing ie a skirt if she wanted to.

At the same time while it undoubtedly looks great you might feel unhappy if your wife, daughter or whoever that's close to you was forced to freeze her ass off, feel vulnerable and risk breaking her ankles with this dress code in a sub-zero Russian winter.

Are there any Russian women here who can confirm or deny the story? If it's true, how do you feel about it?

[rikbe]

Jutka,

What about suing the army, police- and fire department for imposing uniforms?

MickeyB,

Can't those girls not just change clothes when their job is finished?

[jutka]

rikbe,

Obviously my answer was SPECIFIC to this case. Couldn't you infer that from the context? I'm not talking about all uniforms. But when you MUST wear a short skirt with no tights to work, it's not your work production they're thinking of. They're thinking of other "attributes".

[RAMBO]

jutka:

Employers impose dress codes all the time. A friend of mine works downtown in an insurance agency and is required to wear a coat and tie to work. Another buddy is required to wear a hardhat, work boots and blue jeans to his construction job.

Hey! If you don't like the dress code don't take the job!