Autism and Issues with workplace dress code

I wonder why your employer is moving from casual to formal in dress code if nothing else has changed about the work you do.  Have they given reasons?

I used to work in an office at a law courts - a very strict and formal place, as you might imagine - and as part of my job I had to deal every day with members of the public.  When I started there, all the men wore either suits or formal jackets and trousers - and shirt and tie was the norm.  However, over time, staff increasingly asked if clothing could become less formal and restrictive.  It was a bit of a gender issue, too, as women were allowed to wear less formal clothing (at the time, F C U K clothing was the fashion, and several women wore those tops - which even I didn't think was appropriate when dealing with members of the public!)  In the end, management decided that it would be alright for everyone.  Men could wear casual shirts or polo shirts, just as long as they had a collar.  Black jeans were also accepted.  It made no difference to the work we did.  If anything, it improved matters as people felt more comfortable.  I liked wearing a suit, but I preferred looser clothing.  I still occasionally wore my suit, but it was nice now to have a choice.

What do other staff think of this move?  Presumably, some of them are going to have to fork out for a new wardrobe, which won't please them - unless your employer is prepared to subsidise it, which only seems reasonable to me.

As they have your diagnosis, I think you have every right to tell them that this change won't suit you (sorry for the pun!) and that they should make some allowances for you.  If they refuse, it could be classed as discrimination.  It's not as if, from the sounds of it, the dress code is an essential aspect of doing your job.

Some employers are more flexible than others.  I recently went for a job at a local FE college, where I was told I could wear pretty much what I liked (hoodies, trainers, t-shirts) - but not jeans.  I only have jeans, so asked if black jeans were okay.  They said yes to those.  They just didn't want to see any blue denim.  Strangely, though, you could wear a blue denim shirt if you wanted!

I wonder why your employer is moving from casual to formal in dress code if nothing else has changed about the work you do.  Have they given reasons?

I used to work in an office at a law courts - a very strict and formal place, as you might imagine - and as part of my job I had to deal every day with members of the public.  When I started there, all the men wore either suits or formal jackets and trousers - and shirt and tie was the norm.  However, over time, staff increasingly asked if clothing could become less formal and restrictive.  It was a bit of a gender issue, too, as women were allowed to wear less formal clothing (at the time, F C U K clothing was the fashion, and several women wore those tops - which even I didn't think was appropriate when dealing with members of the public!)  In the end, management decided that it would be alright for everyone.  Men could wear casual shirts or polo shirts, just as long as they had a collar.  Black jeans were also accepted.  It made no difference to the work we did.  If anything, it improved matters as people felt more comfortable.  I liked wearing a suit, but I preferred looser clothing.  I still occasionally wore my suit, but it was nice now to have a choice.

What do other staff think of this move?  Presumably, some of them are going to have to fork out for a new wardrobe, which won't please them - unless your employer is prepared to subsidise it, which only seems reasonable to me.

As they have your diagnosis, I think you have every right to tell them that this change won't suit you (sorry for the pun!) and that they should make some allowances for you.  If they refuse, it could be classed as discrimination.  It's not as if, from the sounds of it, the dress code is an essential aspect of doing your job.

Some employers are more flexible than others.  I recently went for a job at a local FE college, where I was told I could wear pretty much what I liked (hoodies, trainers, t-shirts) - but not jeans.  I only have jeans, so asked if black jeans were okay.  They said yes to those.  They just didn't want to see any blue denim.  Strangely, though, you could wear a blue denim shirt if you wanted!

The only reason they have for the change was they have a vision.

The good thing is they realised how irritating this is to me today as they noticed my stats go down and allowed me to relax a bit. All I have to wear are the trousers (Which I still find  restrictive but bareable)

After they allowed me to relax I beat all my targets.