Dress code policy got me written up on day 3 | First Job Questions

Laura Shah · 2026-06-10T05:55:03.798104+00:00

Started a receptionist job at a dental office in Toledo last week, wore a nice blouse and dark slacks like the handbook said. Manager pulled me aside and said my outfit was against the unspoken rule of no patterns, even though nothing in writing says that. How do you find out about rules nobody tells you before you get in trouble?

karenhenderson4mo ago

My cousin used to tell me I was too sensitive about dress codes, but after reading this I totally get it now. Three years ago I worked at a law firm where they wrote me up for wearing a blue shirt on casual Friday because "real lawyers don't wear bright colors." Nothing in the handbook said anything about colors. It feels like they expect you to read their minds or overhear secret meetings to know the real rules.

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tylerlane4mo ago

Yeah idk, getting written up for a shirt seems kinda overblown honestly.

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kelly_miller804mo ago

Yeah @karenhenderson nailed it, they want you to read minds even when the handbook says something else.

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