R600DuraAce

The policy isn't targeting commuters but a lot of the staff do wear their street clothes and change to their more causal business outfits once they are clocked in. Unfortunately, this policy is causing some headache for me. I can't commute in my causal business outfit, period. I wear my full team kit. Is hot. I sweat a lot. With this stupid policy, I have to do some really stupid thing to comply with it. I have to wear my casual business outfit ONTOP of my team kit before entering the building. I couldn't find any place to change my clothes unfortunately. So, everyone knows that I am dressed up for work. Then, I go the bathroom and remove my team kit underneath and put back on my business wear. When I leave, I have to do the same thing. If my manager forces me to do it, that's what I have to do.

Sasquatchula

Strange.
I could see the problem if you change after clocking in, but if you roll in 15 minutes prior to your scheduled start time and change then, what's the problem?

soyboy

maybe you could talk to the boss, they're probably targetting people who arrive on time, change and then clock in, if you garuntee that you'll be early enough to change he may let you, but then again maybe not it's atleast worth a try

InfamousG

I think you mean:
Arrive on time
Clock in
Then Change.

Talk to your boss, if you're off the clock he shouldn't have a choice in what you do.

lilHinault

Sounds like time to talk with a lawyer. I'm sure there's some EEOC or OSHA rule they're flaunting.

vrkelley

Talk to your manager...Maybe they don't want people walking in the front door with racing kit on? If so maybe there's a side door you can enter. Or perhaps wear a cool max -dress shirt to commute in. Get 2 the same color when you arrive, slip on the dry one.

oboeguy

That sounds highly, well, wrong. OSHA probably has something to say about it. Talk to the Boss!

Anyhow, I've always feared I would be told the same just like I was told I couldn't bring a bike to work because of "liability" (W(hatever)TF that means). I avoided the bike problem by getting a folder I bag in the morning and have avoided any clothing issues by arriving before anyone else and, incidentally, leaving nearly last if not last too.

chennai

Roll in to the place next door and change in its bathroom. When I attend a business meeting, I often change a block away and then walk to the meeting.

Aeroplane

Bing! We have a winner. If you have a chance, try and clear it with the place next door first. Most places aren't that busy early in the morning (unless it's a Dunkin' Donuts), so you should probably be good.

dobber

Why would OSHA (which is tasked with workplace safety) give a hoot? The contention is that the employer does not want people changing thier clothes while on company time. They are being paid to perform work, not conducting grooming activity.

The OP should talk to his manager or perhaps HR representative. Come to a win-win agreement, whether it is arriving earlier or perhaps staying a bit over to fufill his time obligation.

If they don't budge, then the OP has to make the choice of continued employement or looking for another job.

oboeguy

Heh, good point dobber. I missed the part about being clocked in. Changing should happen before that anyway!

Nicodemus

Boss should crack down on people taking the piss by changing after clocking in, not change the policy so it punishes everyone. What a tit.

AndrewP

Keep your cycling kit on all day - or is a uniform allowance included in your pay?

PaulH

How is this restriction worded? What about:

Women who walk to work in running shoes and then change into heels?
People who spill ketchup on their shirt and need to wash it out before meeting with a customer?
People who are caught in an unexpected downpour?

It seems that the possibility of having to change clothing, in some sense, is part of any workplace.

Having to wear two layers of clothing during a New York summer is a scary thought. Changing next door seems like a good solution.

Paul

vrkelley

Some good replies here...looks like you'll need to get creative and do a combination of things.

You can also get racing kit that's toned down. I wear jerseys that look like a regular shirt from a distance. They are usuall solid color with a slightly differant collar.

dobber

I think there's a big difference between slipping on a pair of shoes and doing a whole wordrobe change. Or washing out an accidental stain.

The OP has obviously been caught in the companys response to people changing thier clothes "on the clock". Many workplaces, especially industrial ones with changing shifts, require employees to be dressed and ready for work at the appointed time. Not dicking around in the locker room or catching a smoke.

Again, the OP should approach his management for clarification. If he's dressed and ready for work well before the bell, they shouldn't have an issue. But it's thier buisness and they get to set the rules as to what occurs inside.

I would recommend not trawling the hallway in full roadie gear though. Throw on a t-shirt and some shorts before walking in. The less attention drawn, the further under the radar he'll stay.

DiegoFrogs

The company has a good point though, about people changing after the clock-in.

lets assume 5 days/week: 260 working days per year. maybe 15 minutes to get ready? surprise: 65 hours per year on the clock, toweling down your scrotum. I know some people that only WORK 65 hours per year...

if everyone in a large company did it, it would mean literally millions of dollars in scrotum bucks. As long as you do it before clocking in, I see no problem with it.

No comment about those many hours spent each day on bikeforums.net...

As You Like It

I'd definitely talk to the boss. See if it would be cool if you get there 15-20 minutes early, spruce up, and then clock in when you are due to clock in. It's not like you are taking up any company time if you do it that way. That's how I've always done it, through two different office jobs (one of which had the most tight-sphincter office culture I've experienced before of since). I've never had any troubke, so long as I was tidy, respectable, smelled okay, and at my desk by 8:00 a.m.

ahpook

I have no joke here, I just like saying "scrotum bucks"

Patellapedler

I say change in the parking lot. Make sure it is the stall closest to the most visiable, busiest street. Make sure people are arriving at work at the same time you are at the NAKED point. Change, and walk into work with your work clothes on and see if the manager has anything to say about that?? Maybe he/she will make an allowance for you. Schmucks!!

4SEVEN3

Next to doing that, Id wear my work clothes and come in sweatin like a hog. Wipe off your face and get to work! Maybe a few days of sweat stains and some BO for good effect they might change their tune!

biodiesel

Talk to maintenance, ask real nice if you can come in through the service entrance, or try a side entrance and duck into the first bathroom.

Or. Buy a latte every morning at the Starbucks around the corner and change there.

I can understand (though i disagree) that a ritzy firm might not want half nekkid spandexy executives walking in the front door.
Hospital i worked at was a little... picky about little stuff. I'd ride to the loading dock, up the ramp and up the shipping elevator (without dismounting) and change in the back room.
Another place didn't have a shower, but the maintenence/ houskeeping locker room in the basement did. Didn't mind if i changed/ showered down there.

R600DuraAce

Looks like my manager didn't make an issue out of it since she knows I am crazy about cycling/racing and riding my bike to work. She is also doing things which may even be considered a major LP issue for the company. Looks like things will be normal as usual. Of course, I always get to work 30 minutes earlier to accomdate clothes changing and snack before work.

vrkelley

Yes and No! There may be other reasons for the NO DRESSING rule...perhaps they found a hidden camera. Maybe somebody keeps leaving their skid-marked shorts on the floor. Maybe the stalls are not as private as you think.

Agreeing with Dobber here. we can sit here an speculate or the Original Poster can just go confront the mgr once and for all.

slvoid

I'm lucky. I know I complain about my job a lot to people but I consider myself in a real good position. I can come in to work with about 15-20 minutes give or take and people won't say anything. I park my bike indoors, they got me a fan by my desk to cool down, I go into a private bathroom so I can strip down, towel off, change, then I go out to get breakfast, I spend the next half hour catching up on e-mail and eating my 2nd breakfast of the day. I get to hang my clothes next to the boiler so I always have warm dry clothes at the end of the day.
I think that's one of the reasons why even though I'm not growing as fast as I should be or being paid as much as I should be, I'm still at the same company.