i was laid off from my dream job after 20 years and I took a temp assignment in a doctors ’ office as a temp secretary for the next few months and it is horrible it’s been 7 days and day one someone made a comment about my clothes and every morning I come in and say good morning and get the silent treatment It’s the weirdest thing I was told business attire but coming from entertainment my business clothes are what my son calls fire I am older than most of the secretaries and I don’t think I should dress down to fit in My fashion is an extension of my personality and I dim my sparkle for no one but I’m ready to call the agency and ask for another assignment but on the other hand I am no quitter I have never had to deal with cliques at this level before The high school mentality is real folks that it’s almost crazy I’m seeking advice Lol The comment about my dress on day one was from another secretary btw not management For context I wore a simple olive leather shirt dress and leather boots I wear 2-3 piece suits leopard is my jam?

i was laid off from my dream job after 20 years and I took a temp assignment in a doctors ’ office as a temp secretary for the next few months and it is horrible it’s been 7 days and day one someone made a comment about my clothes and every morning I come in and say good morning and get the silent treatment It’s the weirdest thing I was told business attire but coming from entertainment my business clothes are what my son calls fire I am older than most of the secretaries and I don’t think I should dress down to fit in My fashion is an extension of my personality and I dim my sparkle for no one but I’m ready to call the agency and ask for another assignment but on the other hand I am no quitter I have never had to deal with cliques at this level before The high school mentality is real folks that it’s almost crazy I’m seeking advice Lol The comment about my dress on day one was from another secretary btw not management For context I wore a simple olive leather shirt dress and leather boots I wear 2-3 piece suits leopard is my jam?

Why women love us:

  • Daily articles on career topics
  • Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
  • Advice and support from an authentic community
  • Events that help you level up in your career
  • Free membership, always

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

87 Comments

Join the conversation
  1. Anonymous

    You should dress according to the culture, especially if you are public-facing. We all take on a persona at work which may or may not fit our preferences. I'm a flashy dresser when I can do it and bland when I need to be. I don't want my clothing choices to be a barrier to workplace collegiality. Be flashy with outerwear, purses, and jewelry paired with more conservative basics.

  2. Beverly Molnar

    If by your own admission you don’t see a need to try to fit in, then don’t be surprised or complain when you are treated like a pariah.

  3. Anonymous

    because I am not sheep. I haven’t survive this long by blending into the masses. But thank you.

  4. Beverly Molnar

    Then I guess you need to decide what is more important, to be accepted and get along with your co-workers or to be a rebel. Obviously you can’t have it both ways.

  5. Beverly Molnar

    And to be honest, judging from your posts, I would guess the way you are being treated has more to do with your attitude than your clothes.

  6. Anonymous

    then don' t complain...
    you do NOT want to fit in professionnal setting,, ``sheep`` DO their job and what it takes to be profressionnal. this ain't a TV drama. bravo to you i guess. like many others said , your attitude speaks volumes... calling people sheep and such. at your age, it is pathetic. you need a reality check. you agency will be getting a call soon , dont worry you dont need to. :)

  7. Anonymous

    Supervisor stopped by desk to let me and another new colleague know we are doing a great job. My attitude is just fine. What’s pathetic is your spelling and trying to come at me over a post. Sounds like the word sheep is triggering. Too baaaad. Get it? Lol

  8. Anonymous

    THIS ' THIS 'THIS people love to MAKE choices , but then cry about the consequences.

  9. Anonymous

    Call the agency

  10. Anonymous

    Agency will NOT transfer her.

  11. Anonymous

    Bad advice. To get more temp gigs a worker needs to show adaptability and get positive feedback from previous assignments. They don't want to hear from someone complaining about clothes.

  12. Anonymous

    Really call the agency? Over your clothes? Adult time. I get it, in the one sentence you share you want to be you and be accepted. Rise above. Seems like your idea of business attire and theirs are conflicting. You're new, this is taking away what you have to offer to THE JOB, and it's affecting you. Again, I get it. Consider easing into what you consider business attire, first focus on building those relationships. It is not giving up your identity, it's allowing you to focus on why you're there. I bet, in no time at all you will learn what their version of business attire is and you will adapt with your own flair.

  13. Anonymous

    Lol I wouldn’t call the agency over clothes. The environment not being a good fit for me. The work itself I’m learning. Completely different from where I came from. All companies have their BS but 7 days in?

  14. Anonymous

    I appreciate your style but in a medical office.The dress is usually much more subdued... If that doesn't feel right for you then I would ask for another assignment

  15. Anonymous

    Subdued. Just say dull(kidding. This is my humor). But I get what you’re saying.

  16. Jessica Minter

    Sorry about being laid off - it's a tough pill to swallow. Sounds like this current company is not a good fit. The beauty of working with an agency is flexibility - so I would call the agency. However, I would focus on the overall mistreatment, not just the clothes and self-expression. Work environments do vary and there are cultural standards that employees should adhere to. It would be good to be clear about what environment you will work best in. Good luck!

  17. Anonymous

    IMO anymore as a 50y old, social media has given EVERYONE the license to voice their opinions- ie your attire.
    Been there, but for me, the issue was not ordering take out.

    I think you should call agency, but they might not place you elsewhere because of contracts.

    Do your best to ignore the children and be proud of you!!

    If you feel it's your attire, tone it down some. I LIVE in Levi's and a hoodie on the weekends but going to the office (business professional), the cardigan and khakis come out- with the large hoop earrings- my "bling".

    It's a temp job and an income. Be thankful with the glass half full.

  18. Anonymous

    I think you have to just do you.
    If you feel comfortable dressing up which makes sense as an older employee to me as well, because that’s the work culture we are used to, I say let the younger women say whatever and focus on the work only. If you feel it’s a poor culture fit then that’s ok too. I would look for different opportunities if this continues to affect you.

  19. Anonymous

    Coming from entertainment to a doctors office is a huge shift on many levels so to not expect that is odd.

    You've entered another world.

    It's a temp gig. Find something more fitting wiyh an environment you can flaunt your personality and not feel so displaced. This is just not a fit.

    I worked in F1 Racing and I would expect a huge shift if I suddenly went to work for Costco. It's a new world. I stuck with what I know is my jam.

  20. GirlBossanova934974

    Candidly, I don't know why you should care what others think of your more formal attire. That's their problem. You be you and please continue to dress professionally. I have seen the "High School" mentality of some workers in the last 2-3 roles that I have had. The silent treatment is just plain silly and shows the immaturity of those around you. Last, I remember back in my mother's day when she was running a large department for the County of Los Angeles. In those days, if you didn't dress to impress, you might be sent home by your manager......This show up looking like whatever didn't go over too well.

  21. Anonymous

    I was offered a permanent role about 6 weeks later. I accepted in all my sparkle. Was told I’m doing a great job and my professionalism was appreciated.

  22. Nancy Stein-Pizzo

    I don't know how much you're making as a temp at a medical office, but if you worked at a salon, they would LOVE the flashy clothes. There are numerous places where they would be thrilled to have someone who puts extra attention to their appearance.

  23. Shanna

    It sounds like you have awesome style!

  24. Anonymous

    I hope the patients appreciate your sense of style! I think it's cool to see that when I'm the patient.

  25. Anonymous

    Today I’m in a navy leather wrap dress and green snake print tall stiletto boots.

    Patients are complimenting ?

  26. Anonymous

    Most people “dim their sparkle” in order to be taken seriously as professionals - the focus should be on what you do, not how you look.

    Having said that, if you can’t be happy dressing to fit the environment, then it’s not a good environment for you. Call the temp agency.

  27. Anonymous

    I’m sorry but this is false. Your first appearance is everything especially during an interview. No one has to where dark suits or slack pants & a gray blouse all the time. She isn’t a lawyer and even then some have better taste than others.

  28. Marci

    I agree with your son, your attire sounds fire. I personally can't pull it off, but I appreciate those that can and do. Also, if it were me, I wouldn't leave because I think that sends the wrong message to the temp agency, if the management hasn't complained about you to you or them, then your job performance is good. You wouldn't want to lose future temp opportunities in the same type of field because that environment may be more appreciative of your style. So I say sparkle on, my lovely, sparkle on.

  29. Anonymous

    Do they have a dress code policy? I would find out and probably abide by it. While I appreciate your style, it isn't for a professional business office or doctor's office. I am surprised they don't have you wearing scrubs or something like that.

  30. Anonymous

    Scrubs?! Unless I’m helping to deliver a child no thanks! Ha! I have worked at Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers. I think I’m pretty professional without being dull.

  31. Anonymous

    The way she has described her outfits seem appropriate for her to be in the office. I’ve seen plenty of doctor secretary where fancy clothing boots , dresses, fashionable ear rings.

  32. Anonymous

    Exactly. Dress code given to me was business attire: skirt suits blouses. No jeans sweats or uggs. Leopard pussybow blouse with a suit, French cuff shirt with black leather blazer pants and patent booties. Navy blue faux leather shirt dress with dark green boots. Supervisor has no issues and some people on here are losing their minds. I’ve seen female doctors in stilettos at other offices. You can express your style and be professional ?

  33. Anonymous

    I agree with other commenters, if no one in management had said anything, just ignore the others. It sounds like you are confident in yourself and your style AND you are meeting dress code requirements. Being new is very hard, I totally relate. I’m sorry people made a comment to you, I’d say they’re a bit jealous that you are so stylish :) not everyone has the confidence to dress how they’d really like! Be cordial and be the more emotionally mature person. You’ve got this!

  34. Anonymous

    Are you really going to dig your heels in over your clothing? Read the room on this one if you want to keep this job for the next few months. Not sure my main goal would be to assert my fire brand in a doctor's office setting. You're no longer in the entertainment industry, you're in a medical professional setting. Keep doing you, but go in eyes wide open if you want to keep this temp role for any length of time. I promise you the doctor's office has already contacted your temp agency about this not being a fit.

  35. Anonymous

    Eh, wrong buttercup. Lol! I was offered a permanent role about 6 weeks later. I accepted in all my sparkle. Was told I’m doing a great job and my professionalism was appreciated. So they contacted the agency to say I’m awesome ha!

  36. Anonymous

    I doubt anyone is expecting you to "dim your sparkle " but I do think there is an expectation of being a fit for the environment you are working in. I don't wear scrubs and sketchers into court.

  37. Daneen Clark

    Cheetah is pretty neutral for meetings, black and tan can't go wrong.

  38. Anonymous

    All of this!

  39. Anonymous

    I wore a suit to a meeting in Silicon Valley and they looked at me like
    i was totally out of the loop. They wore t shirts. The reason they wear that attire is because they choose to focus on the “quality of the work”
    and can’t be bothered with frivolity— their brainshare is too valuable. . So by wearing formal attire I was showing that I was out of the loop. I’m still me, but now I wear jeans and a solid T with a jacket that’s “my style.” Sometimes there is hidden mindset behind the attire. Maybe studies show that patients feel safer in offices
    where folks wear certain clothes? I’m not sure but maybe there’s a certain optic?

  40. Annetta Moses

    Professional business attire is often skirt/pant suit, dress, blazer sweater in shades of black, blue, grey, red in silk, linen, wool, polyester blend.

    Certain industries(banking, healthcare, insurance) tend to be more conservative than entertainment and advertising. You can wear a leather dress and be on the “edgy” in of professional attire and fit in very well in the entertainment industry and less so in healthcare.

    When you work you want to gel with the company and co-workers. Whether you stay or leave the decision is yours. But if you stay you may want to consider wearing one edgy piece, perhaps the leather boots with a silk/polyester dress.

  41. Anonymous

    only dress code is business attire. No jeans, sweats, uggs (yes uggs lol). Kill ‘em with kindness. My sister said the same thing. ??

  42. Anonymous

    The dress code here: which is written -business attire, suits blouse slacks. No sweats, no jeans uggs or open toe shoes. If my dress shirt has French cuffs , my blouse is animal print with a pussy bow or a leather blazer is crazy then by whose standards? I am just fine and always have been. Management does NOT have an issue with my attire. New supervisor complimented one of my outfits. I don’t need to or have to conform as my work ethic speak volumes. Attire icing on my fabulous cakes.

  43. Anonymous

    no one is trying to dim your ``sparkle`` LOLLLL i work in a doctor's office and every office i whent to , black pants , black shirt , with the medical vest over it,. sorry but you do NOT get to complain about how you have to dress at work , you sound like a petulant child. you are doing it on purpose and it is a choice YOU made to NOT fit in. so by all means , go be unemployed. you are there not to entertain but to work in a very professionnal medical environment.

  44. Anonymous

    Aren't you a peach?

  45. Anonymous

    One of the most actionable posts in this entire thread, IMO. This will ultimately boil down to how much the OP needs this job.

  46. Anonymous

    But she is not getting this feedback from the manager/administration but rather another secretary.

  47. Anonymous

    Exactly! Another secretary who sounds like a permanent employee. She's already established at this doctor's office and has credibility. The OP is just days into this assignment in an unforgiving culture.

  48. Anonymous

    OP here. Lol! I was offered a permanent role about 6 weeks later. I accepted in all my sparkle. Was told I’m doing a great job and my professionalism was appreciated.

  49. Anonymous

    Sunshine. OP here. Lol! I was offered a permanent role about 6 weeks later. I accepted in all my sparkle. Was told I’m doing a great job and my professionalism was appreciated.

  50. Paulla Fetzek, MSEd

    I commend you for rocking your style! I'm not one to dance to the beat of the latest fashion trend.

    If your outfits align with the requirements of the company, then continue to be your authentic self. Animal prints can certainly be worn in a business environment. If you feel a shirt-dress is too much, perhaps an animal print shirt with a basic pencil skirt.

    I'm not good at fashion advice friend. I happen to hate dresses. ?

    Being the "new kid" stinks. As does dealing with cliques, though every company has them. I've been at my current job 21 years - and yet I remember my very first day. So any new person... I feel for them.

    Perhaps you could go to the person who made a comment about your clothes and ask them, "Since I'm new here, what would you recommend? I like my style, but do you have any suggestions for how I can make it suitable for here?"

    Doing so should either open communication, or keep them quiet.

    All the best!

  51. Anonymous

    Do not listen to a bunch of mean spirited and tacky women. You know exactly how to balance personal style and professional dress code so have at it. We live in a world of group think and maybe they need to step up their personal style. Being drab and uniform doesn’t equal being professional.

  52. Anonymous

    You do you. If you haven't been told by management that what you are wearing isn't right for the job, then ignore the mean girl comments - just go in there, do the job you are assigned and leave. If you feel you want to tone it down some and still keep your style, keep it to shoes (I have 2-3 pear of cheetah print - or is it leopard - casual shoes and a new pair of zebra-print Chucks - I also have a Chucks addiction...that is my style) or one article of clothing, or accessories.

  53. JYJ

    I’m always amazed at how some people never left the grade school yard. F-4K them! If you are dressed professionally, who cares?? Be you.

  54. Anonymous

    The OP can be herself but she's getting REALLY strong messages that her attire isn't customary for the office setting she's in. Depends how much the OP needs this job and if she want's to risk losing it all over an outfit. Few of us have the luxury to give a middle finger to our employer over our clothing and enough wealth to lose jobs over leopard print. But that's just me.

  55. Kirsten DiCarlo

    Leopard suits aren't normally considered "professional", especially in a medical setting. The "dull my sparkle" comment is laughable. I'm all for being yourself, but dress code at work needs to be followed. She can sparkle all of her off-work hours.

    I'd suggest at least dialing the wild dress down a notch. Maybe a leopard blouse under a solid suit.

  56. Leah Ashton

    why should you dress down? Unless it says no wild prints or colors in your work hand book, keep rocking what you wear.

  57. Anne M Ginsberg

    Exactly. Wear what you like! Something tells me that they’re jealous. Do they shop at W*lmart? There’s your answer. Pay them no attention. Come in, do your work well, and go home.

  58. Anonymous

    I see the clique thing but what I’m getting is the ringleader who if she sees me end of day waiting for elevator she will say to who ever is with her “let’s take the stairs”. Every time. Sighs and/or role their eyes when I walk in early in the morning. I still come in and say good morning because I had home training but this particular group ignores me. Adding after about 6 weeks I was offered a permanent role by the supervisor and I took it. During official announcement in a team mtg one of these co-workers actually asked why another temp wasn’t hired instead while people were still clapping. Supervisor said what she already told me when I was offered the role. She said she appreciated my professionalism and I am doing a great job. All this and I have not changed my personal style

  59. Anonymous

    Management has no issue. This position has been vacant a while. Revolving door from my understanding. Supervisor has zero issue. Has complimented my work. It’s just I would say 4 women. Weirdly hostile. One in particular . I see the comments about killing with kindness. I can do that and ignore you as well.

  60. Anonymous

    If management doesn't care, good!

    There will always be the nosey busy bodies out there. There are entitled ZERO consideration to your wardrobe- always will have an unsolicited opinion.

  61. Anonymous

    If other secretaries are just being catty that’s up to you, but if they are genuinely telling you (and supervisors are telling you) your clothes aren’t appropriate for the industry you are now working in, you need to reconsider. A leather shirt dress sounds like you stick out in an odd way at a doctors office.

  62. Dolores Duncan

    I don't consider an olive leat shirt dress to be business casual. Perhaps you should think of business conservative as more appropriate, especially for a Dr. Office. Another suggestion, look at the other employees dress, try to dress similar to them

  63. Anonymous

    Understanding the need to be yourself, a doctor's office temp job is probably not the best place to showcase this.

    I'd try to allow my wardrobe to blend in with others while illustrating a strong work ethic.

    JMO

  64. Anonymous

    I agree with a lot of what has been said re: reading the room. However, to those who are saying the office probably called the agency already and she might find herself unemployed- if her attire is really an issue, doesn’t the on-site manager have some responsibility to say something before it gets to the point of letting her go. I get that some of this should be known if she has significant experience in work world, but isn’t there some responsibility to help employees succeed if you want some stability in the role. Also, on the flip side, she has taken a temp job which indicates that she can’t afford not to work. I 100% agree with the comments that if she calls the agency she won’t get placed again. This is why temping sucks, if you have to, you gotta suck it up…

  65. Anonymous

    One other thing… it is never appropriate or acceptable to NOT acknowledge a Good Morning greeting.

  66. Anonymous

    Is there a dress code of some sort at the office? If it is business attire, you should consider if your attire is what they would consider business attire or maybe "club" attire. Business attire will differ across industries, so what is acceptable in one would be too formal or too edgy in others.

    I used to coach women who were entering or re-entering the workplace for the first time. Many didn't necessarily understand differences in dress code, and some were reluctant to adhere to a dress code because they didn't want to lose their personality. Others felt better if they wore something in which they were comfortable, even if it didn't fit the dress code. What I always told them was to find some way to incorporate your personality or your item of comfort into the dress code while still following it. Maybe you wear something that is similar to what the rest of the employees are wearing, but add in a colorful or leopard scarf and socks or leather boots to keep true to you.

  67. Anonymous

    I've Worked at brokerage firms and entertainment company. I don’t even go to clubs. I’m in suits with leopard or zebra blouses, 2 or 3piece. Leather blouse with polka dot pleated skirts for example. There’s a clique and a ringleader who if she sees me end of day waiting for elevator she will say to who ever is with her “let’s take the stairs”. Every time. Sighs and/or role their eyes when I walk in early in the morning. I still come in and say good morning because I had home training but this particular group ignores me. Adding after about 6 weeks I was offered a permanent role by the supervisor and I took it. During official announcement in a team mtg one of these co-workers actually asked why another temp wasn’t hired instead while people were still clapping. Supervisor said what she already told me when I was offered the role. She said she appreciated my professionalism and I am doing a great job. All this and I have not changed my personal style

  68. Anonymous

    Just my opinion

  69. Anonymous

    With all due respect, you are reading a lot into the OP’s posting.

  70. Anonymous

    This 100%. If they call the agency and let her go, which I completely understand is their prerogative, then they have to train someone else, etc, rather than having a rather simple conversation. Ultimately there are 3 sides to every story- your’s, mine and the true. This is one case where I would love to know the other side of the story…

  71. Anonymous

    Any possibility that the unfriendliness with the others in your office is only partially about your clothes?

    While working as a temp, there were workplaces that were very welcoming where I was one of the "team." I considered these people to be mature and secure.

    There were others, where no matter how hard I tried, I just wasn't "one of them" because I was only going to be there for a while. I got the impression that they were more insecure as a whole, cliquish, and didn't want to expend the emotional effort to include me. You mentioned a revolving door for the position, so maybe its a similar situation.

    That said, the company where I worked for quite some time was very conservative. If an employee didn't read the room to see that flamboyance doesn't "fit" the culture, it would have been addressed.

  72. Anonymous

    I see the clique thing but what I’m getting is the ringleader who if she sees me end of day waiting for elevator she will say to who ever is with her “let’s take the stairs”. Every time. Sighs and/or role their eyes when I walk in early in the morning. I still come in and say good morning because I had home training but this particular group ignores me. Adding after about 6 weeks I was offered a permanent role by the supervisor and I took it. During official announcement in a team mtg one of these co-workers actually asked why another temp wasn’t hired while people were still clapping. Supervisor said what she already told me when I was offered the role. She said she appreciated my professionalism and I am doing a great job. All this and I have not changed my personal style. She calls it snazzy

  73. Anonymous

    Stick to industries and environments that allow for self expression through clothes, makeup, piercings and tattoos. I am pretty sure a doctors office isn't going to encourage the kind of expression you need.

  74. Anonymous

    Wow.

  75. Anonymous

    This was brutal to read because it lacked punctuation.

  76. Hope Ful

    Punctuation please!!

  77. Anonymous

    You’re absolutely right. I opened app and all the bs hit me first and I am extra in my temper as well as clothes. No excuse. And thanks I do appreciate the advice.

  78. Carine Gordon

    You know what then I apologize. I opened app and saw some messages and felt attacked. I will come for anyone who comes for me. I lumped your message along with some others. If it wasn’t meant the way I took it I can admit when I’m wrong. Adding that my day is pretty awesome so far though.

  79. Anonymous

    Only certain employees have issue. Supervisor offered me a permanent role2 months after I started. Said she appreciated my professionalism. Has called my style snazzy. ching Ching with my bling

  80. Anonymous

    Adding I took the offer.

  81. Anonymous

    Thanks. Supervisor calls me snazzy. Offered me a permanent role that I accepted. Said she appreciated my professionalism and I’m doing a great job.

  82. Anonymous

    Lol! I was offered a permanent role about 6 weeks later. I accepted in all my sparkle. Was told I’m doing a great job and my professionalism was appreciated.

  83. Anonymous

    Lol! I was offered a permanent role about 6 weeks later. I accepted in all my sparkle. Was told I’m doing a great job and my professionalism was appreciated.

  84. Anonymous

    zzzz

  85. Anonymous

    Lol! I was offered a permanent role about 6 weeks later. I accepted in all my sparkle. Was told I’m doing a great job and my professionalism was appreciated. So both

  86. Anonymous

    I didn’t delete it. Or my response after that. Maybe it was reported?

  87. Anonymous

    So it’s me and I have not been on this site in a good year. I just received an email and I clicked on it. Caught up with some of the comments. So not only have I not changed how I dress and conformed like I’m a sheep, I transferred to another dept making more money and March will be 2 years. And no, supervisor never had any issues on my attire and if she did, it was never mentioned. And I peeped the racism. To the lady who said I was a DEI hire, don’t you just wish I was to justify your sad little pathetic life?? You sound basic, Lonely and fat. I’m also a certified personal trainer. I can help you a bit. The other stuff, not so much. Don’t you know DEI was originally made for you?

Browse recent posts

Fairygodboss VIP
Achieve your career goals.
Be part of the largest online career community for women to find jobs, advice, and support — for free.
Fairygodboss members