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The original was posted on /r/maliciouscompliance by /u/chloeverydirty on 2025-05-30 21:35:07+00:00.
So I work at a small marketing agency. Nothing fancy, pretty relaxed environment. For years, we've been wearing smart casual: jeans, sneakers, button-down shirts. Everyone's comfortable, clients don't care - it's all good.
Then we get a new "Creative Director", let's call her Laura. She's all about "professionalism", so she issues a dress code: business formal only. No jeans, no sneakers. Jackets, ties, dresses, the works. She says: "If you want to be taken seriously, you have to look the part. No exceptions"
Alright then.
So Monday morning, I show up in my only business formal outfit: an ancient three-piece suit my dad gave me for college interviews. I'm talking brown, wide lapels, tie so loud it might be a war crime. Everyone else did the same - dusted off old suits and dresses from the back of the closet. We looked like a low-budget wedding party. Meanwhile, Laura's in a sleek, tailored outfit worth more than my car.
Clients start asking if we're going to a funeral or a prom. Our social media manager's suit was two sizes too big, he kept tripping over the pants. The receptionist looked like she was wearing a mother-of-the-bride outfit. One of out designers came in wearing an honest-to-God top hat, just to see if Laura would blink.
By Friday, she's had enough. She calls an "emergency meeting" to announce the dress code is now "business casual again, with flexibility to ensure comfort and personal style".
Guess suits don't make the work better after all.