Can i ask a colleague to change his attire?
I've been asked by my boss to speak to a recently joined colleague to change his attire to work. He's a westerner Muslim (sulfi, i guess). He comes to work wearing short thob & saudi sandals. Being a project engineer, it's expected from him to attend meetings & visit sites.
Will it be appropriate for me to talk to him about it?
well it seems tough because he seems like a stubborn guy....
but try safety issue, he is an engineer and might be demanded on sight at any time, and his clothes are not safe for being on sight.
however i have to agree with some one mentioning that if it is no harm like code or safety ..... why don't u let the guy practice freedom of religion.
genesis, Liveandletlive has given a very clear picture of this country and the situation. If you dont want to invite trouble for yourself and for your company then leave the matter of short dress long beard and the belief. Your person is a very strict and devoted muslim and for him his faith and believes are much more than his work. He will be bringing his believes where ever he go and he might get annoyed and frustated if you ask him to change his attire. What is more important? His service or his attire?
lol at janeyjaney
He seems to be a devout muslim, rather than asking him to change his attire it would be better if we analyze the situation in this way. Doha is a place where people from all walks of life come together and work. If this person comes in the attire as u have mentioned, it will definately change the image of the company, - this only adds to show that the company has a multi- cultural work enviroment, where people from diverse backgrounds work together. Plz donot get me wrong , think calmly, if he was in the same attire during his interiew and also been selected, then u should think that neither the HR nor the Management has any problem with this. If u tell him now ur company is at fault by not mentioning the company's attire before.As far as the work is good this should not be point of major concern for you. but surely your boss has a problem,- Firstly because he is not interferring in the whole issue and asking you to talk. If you mention this to that person, I am sure i will give the resignation but will not accept to change his attire,
Many people here can be seen , even the directors of major firms like Qataris can be seen in this attire, If you ask him anything about the beard, your boss is inviting trouble because if he happens to go to wakf board regarding the whole issue your company will be in trouble and blacklisted in Qatar.
I only wanted to elobrate clerarly on this issue, nothing personal
regards
live and let live
Maybe HR can tell him?
I'm still waiting for my boss to tell my colleague to start using deo.. :(
I've been asked to talk to him, since i'm the project manager & he reports to me. Dressing the way he do, appears very extreme.What really puzzles me why is he bringing his beliefs to work? Will it matter if he wore thob way above the ankle & have a long beard.
If he wore this at his last job and you all knew that, he should have been told before he was hired. Anyway, that said, HR should just show him the office rules of attire. Although if I were him I would be irritated to have been interviewed and hired wearing that and then be told to change. Since no one has said anything up to this point there is no reason for him to think its a problem.
It's not fair for your boss to ask you to do that unless maybe the new guy is a good friend if yours and the boss knows that.
If you have a good relation with him you can try. If he is a soufi he his not going to change his short dress as he is a strict muslim. Muslims are not allowed wear dresses which are falling below the ankle (synovial joint?). You may try to change his sandals but again it will be bit difficult if he is following a real soufi style life. Wish you good luck.
if it's not in policy and not harming or hazardous to health, then you don't really have the right to.
And in the US it may have (a) been acceptable in that business environment or (b) was perhaps seen as a religious statement or even requirement?? Can't say. However, if your company expects a certain type of dress and applies that dress code uniformly (pardon the pun) to all employees, then he would be expected to comply.
Why have you been asked to talk to him? Surely his boss or the HR department would be more appropriate?
He used to work for an international company (US BASED) & joined us recently. According to other colleagues, he wore the same in the other company.
You recently joined colleague .... during the interview what did he wear?
also why is your boss afraid to tell/order him
Sure, you can talk to your colleague to change his clothing as business etiquette.
if you are Roberto Cavalli, yes you may, lol....
.
seriously.
if you are the HR Manager/member, yes you may.