Difficult employee and skimpy clothing

[Anonymous]

I have an employee who seems to live to make my life difficult. She wants to be a manager as she has more seniority than others and feels very slighted that she isn't a manager. She will never be a manager as she intentionally works against me, tries to stir up trouble, is over outspoken and critical of others, is emotionally reactive and does not take direction. She does hae a wealth of knowledge but doesn't use it in productive ways. She is about 50 and has been at the company for about 15 years with multiple moves between departments.

Also since she isn't a manager she is a unionized employee and she goes to the union over every little thing, even if it isn't a union issue.

So our building is warm (old building with poor air circulation) so she has decided to wear minimal clothing as a way to show us how warm she is. She has fans in her office and we all know the temp as we all work in it too.
Last week there were two days where she was dressed inappropriately. She wore a thin strap form fitting tank top with a little sports skirt that was so short that when she sat it barely covered her underwear. She sees clients in her role so professionalism matters. Another day she wore a sundress with an open back that was also very short.

If I raise this with her she will make a huge deal about it (I am also female). She will go to everyone on the team, the union and HR. HR backs me up as they are very aware if all the past incidents but it will be a week of drama and meetings before it calms down.

I feel like I am held hostage a little by her. It takes so much energy and time and so turns damage to the team to deal with saying anything that sometimes I just don't. She is exhausting and she wants me to say something. I feel as though we are in a lose-lose dynamic and I am not sure how to fix it.

[Anonymous]

Can HR address the inappropriate attire instead of you? I think you should step down your involvement.

I would document everything and pick battles carefully. Do your job and do not let her get to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an employee who seems to live to make my life difficult. She wants to be a manager as she has more seniority than others and feels very slighted that she isn't a manager. She will never be a manager as she intentionally works against me, tries to stir up trouble, is over outspoken and critical of others, is emotionally reactive and does not take direction. She does hae a wealth of knowledge but doesn't use it in productive ways. She is about 50 and has been at the company for about 15 years with multiple moves between departments.

Also since she isn't a manager she is a unionized employee and she goes to the union over every little thing, even if it isn't a union issue.

So our building is warm (old building with poor air circulation) so she has decided to wear minimal clothing as a way to show us how warm she is. She has fans in her office and we all know the temp as we all work in it too.
Last week there were two days where she was dressed inappropriately. She wore a thin strap form fitting tank top with a little sports skirt that was so short that when she sat it barely covered her underwear. She sees clients in her role so professionalism matters. Another day she wore a sundress with an open back that was also very short.

If I raise this with her she will make a huge deal about it (I am also female). She will go to everyone on the team, the union and HR. HR backs me up as they are very aware if all the past incidents but it will be a week of drama and meetings before it calms down.

I feel like I am held hostage a little by her. It takes so much energy and time and so turns damage to the team to deal with saying anything that sometimes I just don't. She is exhausting and she wants me to say something. I feel as though we are in a lose-lose dynamic and I am not sure how to fix it.

Why don't you fire her and replace her?

Where do you work that can't do this? Where I work they would fire her and hire and h1b contractor from infosys the next week

[Anonymous]

The OP mentioned "union employee". Ugh. Does your office have a written dress code? That is something HR could do, but beware it could effect others.

[Anonymous]

The straps should be two finger widths wide unions after stupid

[Anonymous]

Can you promoter her out of the union position and then fire her?

[Anonymous]

I would just do an email to my whole team sandwich style. Front part of paragraph would be me empathically apologizing for the heat. Reminding everyone it will just be a few more weeks of this heat and how much I appreciate everyones focus under these conditions. Thats my padding that will lead to the smack down…. "Unfortunately this heat doesn't alter our dress code. Please remember we are meeting with clients and need to look professional under all weather conditions. Refer to _______ page in the employee handbook for specifics. Then I would probably copy and paste a few sentences from the handbook that directly reflect the issues. Then I would end the paragraph with another padding of encouragement. "Im so proud of our team and truly appreciate every single one of you." or something like that.

[Anonymous]

What company do you work for that is unionized?

[Anonymous]

She is an energy vampire - you need to reflect on how you can mentor her so that she does not suck the energy out of you.

Example, I want to get you to the next level, I think _____ would be a great mentor for you.

.... I want to help get you to the next level for you, have you thought about training that you might need to be a great manager?

I need your expertise with an upcoming project, can we get a standing 20 minute meeting each week so we can work on the project plan and actions.

..... you are such a strategic thinker - have you thought about working as a part of the strategic planning group?

[Anonymous]

If you don't have a dress code, it's going to be a problem. If you do, it's easy - just deal with it as your policy permits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would just do an email to my whole team sandwich style. Front part of paragraph would be me empathically apologizing for the heat. Reminding everyone it will just be a few more weeks of this heat and how much I appreciate everyones focus under these conditions. Thats my padding that will lead to the smack down…. "Unfortunately this heat doesn't alter our dress code. Please remember we are meeting with clients and need to look professional under all weather conditions. Refer to _______ page in the employee handbook for specifics. Then I would probably copy and paste a few sentences from the handbook that directly reflect the issues. Then I would end the paragraph with another padding of encouragement. "Im so proud of our team and truly appreciate every single one of you." or something like that.

Good managers don't direct a message to their whole team that's meant for one person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would just do an email to my whole team sandwich style. Front part of paragraph would be me empathically apologizing for the heat. Reminding everyone it will just be a few more weeks of this heat and how much I appreciate everyones focus under these conditions. Thats my padding that will lead to the smack down…. "Unfortunately this heat doesn't alter our dress code. Please remember we are meeting with clients and need to look professional under all weather conditions. Refer to _______ page in the employee handbook for specifics. Then I would probably copy and paste a few sentences from the handbook that directly reflect the issues. Then I would end the paragraph with another padding of encouragement. "Im so proud of our team and truly appreciate every single one of you." or something like that.

Good managers don't direct a message to their whole team that's meant for one person.

This.

[Anonymous]

Man, I have actually seen this play out. There is no way to win unless the dress code is excruciatingly specific.

[Anonymous]

Can you reassign her presentation role to some one who's dressed appropriately? When she complains, dryly state "Janet, as you know, professionalism in front of clients is essential. Jackie is ready to present today and you aren't."

[Anonymous]

Example:
https://cdn3.volusion.com/tuac7.56np9/v/vspfiles/photos/1088Black-2.jpg?1492324474