Uniform Change: Am I making too big a deal of it?

[Anonymous]

Hi all.

I work in a fully staffed UHNW household and generally love my job, so I feel like maybe I'm making too big a deal about this, but I've been feeling weird about our new uniforms. Previously all staff just wore white shirts/black pants which I liked and thought was practical. But, thanks to a consultant they hired, we now all have new uniforms and for the nannies and housekeepers this means dresses: pastel blue with aprons for the housekeepers and white for the nannies.

I feel a little put off that we weren't consulted on this and find the dress to be a little less practical, but I honestly also feel really self-conscious wearing it in public when I'm out with the kids. It looks like an old fashioned nurses uniform. I don't want to quit, but I've been having trouble getting used to it. Should I just deal with it, talk to my employer about it? I've spoken to the other nanny and she doesn't seem to care. Am I just being difficult here?

[Anonymous]

How is this a big deal to wear an apron? It is weird but just go with it.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t want to where a dress to work how much do you make per hr ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t want to where a dress to work how much do you make per hr ?

This sounds fake. White dresses for nannies?

[Anonymous]

Eek!

I would not be happy to have to wear all-white when caring for young children!
I also would not be comfortable having to wear a dress when playing w/the kids either!

And an apron too??!

Unless you are making a VERY pretty penny in this position, all of this would be a dealbreaker for me.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t wear a dress. Doesn’t matter how much they’re paying.

[Anonymous]

Better be making 150+

[Anonymous]

This would be a no go for me.

Wearing white? Having to wear a dress?
And one with an apron on the front??

Seems your employers are mostly about clout than practicality here.

[Anonymous]

OP here

Just to be clear, we don't have to wear aprons, only the housekeepers do. And, for those asking I make $35/hr with decent benefits. I typically work 45-50 hours per week.

[Anonymous]

What the hell is "UHNW household"?

[Anonymous]

I make $38 and never wear a uniform, 3 kids.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, I earn $40-45 for one child and have never been asked to wear a uniform. I have interviewed, through an agency, for a position where one was required.

In your situation, I'd be curious about the purpose for the change and why the consultant recommended that. If you don't have any information about the change, I'd approach it like this:

- make a list of the main concerns you have with the change(white clothing getting dirty with young kids, dresses not practical for frequent up and down play, etc.). Are there any reasons aside from feeling self-conscious?

- Look at list and decide if it's worth bringing up or if you want to deal. If it were me and I brought it up, I'd also ask about whether there might be an option for an alternative uniform that includes pants and save the dresses for more occasions.

If it were me and feeling self-conscious was the only reason, I wouldn't bring it up. If there were things that interfered with the job, I would bring it up and ask about an alternative uniform for everyday wear.

[Anonymous]

Ludicrous for a nanny to wear a dress in any color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What the hell is "UHNW household"?

https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=uhnw

[Anonymous]

For thirty five dollars an hour?? Are they serious?

First of all you should be making triple that it they're really that rich. Second of all tell them to shove the dress up their rear.

-not rich MB who pays more than $35 an hour