Must wear churidar, tie hair up. Salary? Just Rs 12K: Company's rules on female employees spark outrage online; netizens ask, 'Office or school?'

A corporate firm has landed in controversy after introducing a highly restrictive dress code that many feel resembles outdated school regulations. The matter came to light through a widely shared social media post, where the company was seen mandating a strict set of clothing rules for its staff. The policy reportedly required employees to wear traditional outfits like churidars with shawls securely pinned in place, formal shirts that must be tucked in, and hair that is neatly groomed and fastened with ribbons.

These meticulous wardrobe demands have triggered widespread backlash across online platforms, with many criticizing the company for promoting a regressive and overly controlling approach to workplace attire.

A screenshot of the ridiculous rules went viral on the subreddit Indian Workplace. Sharing the post, one Reddit user wrote, “My friend got an offer letter, and we were going through it, and just wow. What does tucking in shirts or pinning a shawl even have to do with the work people do???"

Inside the Company’s Controversial Dress Code Policy

Under the guidelines, male employees are required to wear formal clothing and maintain well-groomed, trimmed facial hair. For female staff, the rules are even stricter—they must wear churidar-kurtas along with a shawl, and letting their hair loose is explicitly prohibited. The company's stance emphasizes modesty in women's clothing, setting a tone that many feel is unnecessarily conservative and controlling.

The issue gained traction online after a Reddit user highlighted the policy, noting that the firm offers a very modest salary—only Rs 12,000 per month—despite these demanding workplace expectations.

Netizens Express Outrage

The company’s regulations quickly became a hot topic on Reddit, where users mocked and criticized the policy’s regressive tone. One commenter sarcastically remarked that they were expecting something akin to a government job but were quickly disappointed. Another user compared the workplace to a school and joked about mid-year admissions, calling out how many Indian offices operate with authoritarian rules more suited to classrooms than professional environments.

Others pointed out the glaring gender bias embedded in the policy. A commenter noted how women are burdened with a variety of formalwear options—ranging from pant-shirt sets and salwar suits to sarees and skirts—while even their footwear choices are scrutinized, including everything from sandals to closed shoes.

One particularly vocal response condemned the company’s requirement for women to wear shawls pinned on both sides, questioning why general formalwear wasn’t considered sufficient. They argued that such dress codes aren’t about professionalism but are rooted in deep-seated sexism.

According to them, this level of control over women’s appearance is demeaning and represents outdated ideologies masked as standards of respect and decorum. Many echoed this sentiment, describing the policy as patronizing, offensive, and symbolic of a broader issue within workplace culture that continues to police women’s bodies under the pretense of maintaining order.